Traders counting losses
The situation at the National theater remains gloomy and sad as business owners count losses, following the vicious fire at National Theatre ParkingYard.
Business owners’ lost property worth millions after kiosks burnt into flames on Sunday afternoon on allegations of a short circuit. The place houses wine and alcohol shops, mobile money, boutiques, and printers and among other stationery.
Eyewitnesses say the fire started at around 12:30 p.m. shortly after electric sparks were seen at a welding shop.
They claim the welder was warned to halt his activity prior to the fire outbreak by the theatre’s Chief Electrician but he refused. One of the business operators says a welder ran past him with a bleeding arm shortly before the fire spread.
Traders struggled to save their property by the time the fires started but in vain.Majority lost most of their properties after they were reduced to ashes in the incident. Some business owners managed to pick out alcohol bottles from the residues while others looked on at theirs in sadness.
“I have lost all hope, I can barely speak because I recently got a loan to restock my business and pay rent up front, Now I have lost millions, all my property is ash, “said one of the business owners
Traders counting losses
Police in Kampala have confirmed arresting one person over the fire outbreak on makeshift kiosks at National Theatre ParkingYard.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson says preliminary investigations point to the fire starting at one of the wielding shops before spreading out. He says they have arrested one Vincent Sanjo, the welder at the shop for causing the fire outbreak.
Sanjo is currently arrested and detained at Kampala Central Police station on allegations of having caused the fires.
“Property worth millions of shillings has been destroyed. The fire started as a result of welding from one of the kiosks and before it could spread, the police fire department put it off. We believe the suspect started the fire and he will be charged with rash and neglect” Owoyesgyire said on Sunday.
