A timber stall that had reportedly survived recent roadside enforcement operations in Mukono has been reduced to ashes after a fierce fire swept through a cluster of timber yards at Kiwanga Lwanda village along Jinja Road on Wednesday morning.
The blaze, which broke out at around 6am, spread rapidly through the tightly packed wooden structures, engulfing stalls and consuming timber worth millions of shillings.
Thick plumes of smoke rose high into the sky as the fire raged uncontrollably, fueled by the highly flammable materials.
By the time firefighters arrived, much of the damage had already been done. Traders and residents made frantic attempts to salvage timber and other goods, but their efforts were overwhelmed by the speed and intensity of the flames.
One of the affected traders, Nnalongo Margaret Mukasa, broke down as she assessed the ruins of her business.
“Everything I had is gone,” she said. “All my goods have been destroyed. I am appealing to the government to help us recover from this loss.”
Local leaders, led by Kiwanga Lwanda village chairperson Lugoloobi Kasirivu, raised alarm over the dangerous positioning of the timber stalls near fuel stations, including the nearby Mogas and Unique petrol stations.
“The cause of the fire is not yet known,” Kasirivu said. “But what worries us most is how close these timber stalls are to fuel stations. This is extremely dangerous and must be addressed urgently.”
He nevertheless commended firefighters for their determination in battling the blaze under difficult conditions.
Residents pointed to heavy traffic congestion along Jinja Road as a major factor that delayed emergency response. While some criticized the slow arrival of firefighting teams, others acknowledged the challenge posed by the persistent traffic jam on the busy highway.
Firefighters eventually managed to bring the inferno under control after a prolonged effort, preventing it from spreading further, especially towards the nearby fuel stations.
The Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, confirmed the incident, noting that although no lives were lost, the financial impact was severe.
“Property worth millions of shillings has been destroyed, but thankfully, there were no fatalities,” he said. “Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. We urge the public to remain vigilant when handling fire.”
The incident has reignited concerns among residents and traders about safety regulations, particularly the placement of high-risk businesses near fuel stations.
As smoke continued to rise from the charred remains into the afternoon, affected traders began counting their losses, with many now looking to government for support to rebuild their livelihoods.
Authorities have pledged a thorough investigation to establish the exact cause of the fire, as the community calls for urgent measures to prevent similar disasters in the future.
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