Fire has gutted several timber stores in Mbarara City leaving more than 300 traders counting huge losses.
The fire which broke out around 3 am on Monday gutted the stores located along Akiiki Nyabongo road.
It destroyed timber, finished timber products, mattresses and several industrial machines and equipment and one person has been confirmed dead.
Residents tried to stop the fire using soil in vain.
Kasim Rwakajara, one of the timber dealers says that his survival has been shattered since the carpentry business was his only source of income and livelihood.
CUE. RWAKAJARA RR.
Sylvia Ninsiima, another timber dealer says that over 28 timber stores were razed by the fire. She adds that several machines that cost between 10 and 70 million shillings were destroyed.
CUE. SYLVIA ENG.
Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, Mbarara City Mayor says that residents struggled to put out the fire due to the lack of a police firefighting truck. He says that they relied on the truck from Bushenyi.
CUE. MAYOR KAKYE ENG.
The police are yet to establish the cause of the fire.
