The fire broke out at a workshop located at Plot 43 along Spire Road in Southern Division, Jinja City.
Police in Kiira Region are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an unidentified man who was killed in a fire that gutted a mechanical workshop on Sunday night. The fire broke out at a workshop located at Plot 43 along Spire Road in Southern Division, Jinja City.
Well-wishers who attempted to extinguish the fire in its early stages were unaware of any occupants inside the building, and their focus was mainly on relocating nearby vehicles. However, during a morning inspection of the debris at around 7:30 am on Monday, police fire brigade teams, along with residents, discovered the body of the deceased, lying beneath heavy spare parts.
The body was recovered from the scene and transported to the Jinja Hospital mortuary for a postmortem, while efforts to identify the deceased continued. Peter Brown, the chairperson of mechanics in Jinja City, stated that the garage also housed a woodwork department and had unprotected electrical connections, which are suspected to have sparked the fire.
Brown recalled hearing a large blast that was felt throughout the area, prompting efforts to manage the fire, which ultimately got out of control and spread to the food department, destroying fridges as well. The fire spread quickly throughout the premises, and it wasn’t until the following morning that they were notified of the lifeless body.
John Mwandha, the LC II chairperson of the area, expressed his dismay over the loss of life in the fire. He noted that mechanical garages have diversified into various departments, which calls for improved safety measures, including the installation of fire extinguishers, a reliable water supply, and properly verified electricity connections. However, Mwandha criticized the low compliance with safety standards, which he believes contributes to the frequent fire outbreaks.
Mwandha also pointed out that while many fires are caused by non-compliance with safety regulations, others may be the result of arson, calling for swift police action to ensure justice for those affected. He mentioned that the same garage had been torched in 2017, but the police report from that incident was never shared with them, which has led to a loss of confidence in finding lasting solutions to prevent such incidents.
Kiira Regional Police spokesperson, James Mubi confirmed the incident, adding that scene-of-crime officers are working to gather evidence, which will be assessed by the forensics department. A comprehensive report on the exact cause of the fire will be compiled once the investigation is complete.
