Police in Kampala struggled to put out fire breakout on a Link Bus coach that suddenly burst into flames Wakaliga in Lubaga Division Wednesday evening.
Police cops under the fire and rescue services responded to a distress call that the Scania bus Reg. number UBD 269A travelling from Kasese to Kampala was up in flames at about 10:00 pm.
Luke Owoyesigyire the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson says police responded in time to Wakaliga traffic lights and managed to contain the fire. The police used water, sand and fire extinguishers to put out the ravaging fire that was getting out of control.
Travelers looked on helplessly in dismay as property being transported burned to ashes, however, there was a sigh of relief because all passengers on board managed to escape death by fleeing the burning bus.
“non of the passengers were hurt, our fire prevention and rescue services officers responded on time, fortunately, the fire had been extinguished by other first responders using a nearby fire extinguisher, water, and sand.” Owoyesigyire said
He says preliminary investigations attribute the fire to a short circuit in one of the headlamps.
Recently, the Works and Transport Ministry was compelled to halt operations of the Link Bus Company after a horrible accident at Ssebitoli about 13Km from Fort Portal City claimed 21 lives and left scores injured. The death toll from the horrible crash has since risen to 23.
According to the latest traffic report, 120 people died in road crashes between April 24 and May 14, 2022.
The 2021 crime report by the Directorate of Fire and Rescue services indicates that 1,258 fire incidents were registered compared to 1,013 fires recorded in 2020. Police attributed 272 incidents to negligence and another 186 short-circuiting.
