Property worth millions destroyed in fire outbreak at Budaka health centre

Budaka (UG):– A fire outbreak at Namusita Health Center III in Kakule Sub County, Budaka District Saturday left a nurse’s residence in ruins, destroying household property worth millions of shillings.

The 6 pm incident occurred when the occupant, Apio Lilian, a nurse at the facility, was away and had left behind the maid who noticed smoke billowing from the bedroom and immediately raised an alarm, prompting neighbours and local authorities to intervene.

The police, alongside officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), quickly arrived at the scene, followed by a fire brigade team from Mbale District, which managed to contain the fire before it spread to adjacent structures.

Although no casualties were reported, the incident caused panic among residents. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, with initial findings ruling out electrical faults, as the residence is solely powered by solar energy.

SSP M. Bwire, the District Police Commander of Budaka, stated that investigators are exploring other possible causes, including external factors since the kitchen is located outside the house.

“While we have ruled out an electrical short circuit, we are still investigating to determine the exact cause of this unfortunate incident,” SSP Bwire noted.

Local leaders have called for heightened safety measures at the health centre’s staff quarters to prevent future incidents.