UGANDA, Jinja | Real Muloodi News | A massive fire gutted a warehouse on Engineer Zikusooka Road in Jinja South Division, leaving traders counting losses. Police have investigated the cause of the Jinja warehouse fire, which broke out in the afternoon.
Kiira Regional Police Spokesperson James Mubi confirmed the incident, stating that the facility, known as Supplier World, is used for clearing goods imported by various companies.
“I can confirm that there has been a fire outbreak at the Supplier World facility. As of now, we cannot establish how much damage has been caused by the fire, whose cause we’re yet to determine. Our police team is on the ground carrying out investigations,” Mubi said.
Emergency response teams faced challenges accessing the scene due to poor road access.
“Our team arrived on time to put out the fire but was hindered by limited space for the fire brigade vehicle to pass,” Mubi added.
Mubi attributed the difficulties to unplanned construction in the city, which he said has made it hard for emergency response teams to navigate affected areas.
“Jinja is not what it used to be. People have constructed buildings without proper planning, making it difficult for fire trucks to access some areas during emergencies,” he said.
Residents expressed concerns over frequent fire incidents in Jinja, calling for stricter supervision of businesses.
Adam Ngobi, a mechanic on Obote Road near the warehouse, recounted how the fire started around 2 p.m.
“When we saw the fire, we stopped everything and ran to the scene because it was spreading fast. Some people were allowed in to assist in moving cars and removing boxes of items from the stores,” Ngobi said.
Jinja South Division Mayor Ashraf Naaser urged business owners to prioritize fire safety measures, noting that many traders lack fire extinguishers.
“There is a need for traders to invest in fire safety precautions to protect their businesses,” Nasser said.
He also called for the reopening of water hydrants in the city, which he said have been closed by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation.
“All hydrants in the city are closed, except for the one at Jinja Police Station, which is insufficient for the entire city,” Naaser added.
The Jinja warehouse fire follows another fire incident earlier this month on Spire Road in Jinja South Division, where one person died after a garage was engulfed in flames. Authorities are investigating whether there is any connection between the two incidents.
Police continue to assess the damage caused by the Jinja warehouse fire while urging business owners to implement preventive measures to mitigate future fire outbreaks. Investigations are ongoing.
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