Joyce Namugambe
The 8am fire whose cause is still a mystery started when students were sleeping.
The devastating fire destroyed everything inside the dormitory including; mattresses, shoes, suitcases, clothes, and books.
“We first heard a big sound and in a few minutes fire started and quickly spread to the rest of the dormitory fueled by the highly flammable mattresses,” a female student only identified as Sumayyiyah told this reporter.
The gutted two-storeyed dormitory accommodated 47 Senior Five and Six students. Reports indicate that the ground floor of the dormitory wasn’t affected.
The school head teacher, Hajj Musa Musoke Mpungu has asked parents to stay calm as police continue to investigate the actual cause of the inferno.
“No student was lost in the fire , except the two girls that fainted following the incident. All occupants of the affected dormitory are safe, but their properties were all destroyed. The fire brigade team arrived in time and prevented the fire from spreading to other buildings,” he said
However, the school has shown concern over the only one Fire brigade in the area which could not stop the fire as quick as possible saying that if they were more than one, may be they would be able to contain the fire.
Masaka City major Hon. Florence Namayanja confirmed that this fire was caused by electricity but appealed to teachers to find time to talk to students especially those going to sit for their UNEB exams since they must have been traumatized by the fire.
Deputy RDC Ahmed Kateregga Musaazi noted that if the police fire extinguisher were enough, they would be able to contain the fire since it was not too much. And confirmed that no student was hurt.
Southern regional acting police spokesperson, Mr Jamada Wandera said the fire could have been a result of an electrical short circuit.
“Our team is still on ground to gather more information to establish the actual cause. We ask parents to stay calm since the situation is now under control,” Wanmdera said.
