3 Perish in Kyengera fire, police launch investigations

Three people have been killed in a fire that broke out in Kinawa Cell, Kasenge Ward, Kyengera Town Council, Wakiso District.

The victims have been identified as Halima Nankaja, a 50-year-old landlady, Ayubu, a 3-year-old male juvenile and grandson of Halima, and Aisha Nambi, a 13-year-old female juvenile.

According to preliminary reports, the incident occurred when the three victims entered their double-room residential house, locked the doors, and went to sleep. Unfortunately, a fire erupted from within while they were still unaware, engulfing the premises.

It was not until concerned neighbours noticed the flames that they sprung into action, breaking through walls and cutting the metallic doors to rescue the trapped individuals.

Upon gaining access they found the baby had been burnt to ashes, Halima had succumbed to the flames, and Aisha, though severely burnt, was still clinging to life. Aisha was immediately rushed to Kirundu Hospital, but unfortunately, she passed away upon arrival. Local residents alerted the police, who swiftly responded with fire trucks.

SSP Patrick Onyango the Public Relations Officer of Kampala Metropolitan Police says that the efforts of the community managed to suppress the fire before the arrival of the fire brigade, as the access roads to the scene posed challenges for the firefighters.

The primary double room occupied by the deceased suffered extensive damage, but the adjacent five single rental rooms were successfully spared from the spreading flames.

The bodies of the two deceased victims were retrieved and handed over to the city mortuary for postmortem examinations. The third body remains at Kirudu Mortuary as investigations continue to determine the cause of the tragic fire.

Onyango says that investigations are underway to establish the cause of the fire.