UGANDA, Kalungu | Real Muloodi News | Authorities in Kalungu District are currently probing the cause of a devastating fire that ravaged a girls’ dormitory at God Cares Primary School in Kirinnya Zone, Lukaya Town Council.
The fire, which occurred on Friday, 23rd February, 2024 around 4:30 am, destroyed pupils’ belongings worth millions of shillings.
The inferno struck while the learners were asleep, but thankfully, the matron detected it early and promptly alerted the students to evacuate the burning dormitory.
Despite the swift response, the fire consumed various items belonging to the pupils, including bedding, books, clothing, and utensils.
At the time of the incident, the dormitory housed 31 pupils, none of whom sustained injuries. Mr. Paul Kaakira, a nearby resident, recounted being awakened by the school matron’s alarm, prompting the community to mobilise efforts to assist in containing the fire.
“We had to rush to support because the school is in very close vicinity and we have worked together as a community and school to rescue lives and to put out the fire,” said Mr. Kaakira.
Ms Maria Emma Matovu Kusemererwa, the school’s head teacher, expressed gratitude to the police, school staff, and neighbours for their swift response, which ensured the safe evacuation of all students.
However, she lamented the loss of property incurred during the incident.
“We appreciate the police, the team at the school, and the neighbours for an urgent response that saw all lives rescued without any injury, unfortunately, their property was lost,” noted Ms Kusemererwa.
According to Mr Twaha Kasirye, the Southern Regional Police Spokesperson, investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
He urged school administrators to prioritise the installation of smoke detectors and adequate firefighting equipment to mitigate the risk of similar incidents in the future.
“We ask owners of schools to put in place mechanisms of preventing and fighting fire outbreaks, like in this case, fire extinguishers were got from a neighbouring school and I am sure the quick intervention of both police and community deterred severe loss,” emphasised Mr Kasirye.
The fire at God Cares Primary School marks the first school-related blaze reported in the region since the commencement of the new academic term on February 5.
However, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety measures within educational institutions, following a series of similar incidents in Greater Masaka last year, including a tragic incident at Kasaana Junior School in Masaka City, where seven toddlers lost their lives in a fire.
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