Deadly Blaze Claims Three Young Lives in Kampala Home

A catastrophic fire tore through a residential home in Kirokolo Zone, Kawempe Division, late Thursday night, claiming the lives of three young girls and critically injuring three other family members. The victims were part of a six-person household headed by Ssenyonga Gerald, a motorcycle taxi operator who worked night shifts.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango reported that emergency crews responded swiftly, but the flames had already consumed the single-room dwelling by the time firefighters arrived. "Our teams managed to contain the blaze, but tragically, three juvenile females perished at the scene," Onyango stated. The surviving victims—Ssenyonga, his wife, and one child—were transported to Kiruddu Referral Hospital with severe burns.

Initial investigations point to a potential safety hazard involving a charcoal stove operating near a parked motorcycle inside the cramped living space. "While the exact ignition source remains under scrutiny, the combination of open-flame cooking and flammable motorcycle components created a high-risk environment," Onyango explained. Forensic experts collected samples from the charred remains of the structure, and neighbors provided witness accounts to assist detectives.

The deceased children's bodies have been transferred to Mulago's City Mortuary for autopsy as authorities work to establish the fire's official cause. The incident has reignited discussions about urban housing safety standards in Kampala's densely populated neighborhoods.

Source: Trusted News Uganda