The police forensic experts have revisited City House to collect more exhibits that could be used to establish the cause of Monday’s fire.
The fire started at 9:15 am in the basement, which houses California Bar and other restaurants. The police fire team also recovered the body of an unidentified person from the debris.
City House located in the central business district houses several restaurants, stationery, textile shops, and office outlets.
On Tuesday, a media reporter saw a team of forensic experts at the fire scene picking anything that would be of evidential value as police establish the cause of the fire.
Although the Police and Rescue Services said that the fire was caused by leaking gas cylinders, the Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson said the exact cause of the fire is not known, the reason experts revisited the scene.
He also said that a section of the building that was not affected is not safe for occupancy and will remain closed.
“An investigation has been initiated to determine the precise cause of the fire. The findings of these investigations will be communicated promptly to the public. The building itself is not safe for occupancy and will be closed off until further notice.” Owoyesigyire said.
Godfrey Katongole, the Chairman of Kampala Arcade Traders Association-KATA, asked proprietors of buildings in the city to install fire extinguishers.
“We looked for a single fire extinguisher in that building yesterday to use as we waited for the police, but we couldn’t get a single one. Several people lost their properties yet this is the season people expect to earn money to pay rent.” Katongole said.
He also asked the police to expedite investigations into the fire and make the report public. “In all Fire outbreaks in Kampala, police always investigate, but we have never seen any report about those fires, yet people’s businesses are destroyed,” Katongole said.
