Over 20 traders and 25 households were yesterday afternoon left in tears after a fire gutted their shops and homes in Lacor trading centre in Bardege division in Gulu municipality.
One child, an 8-month old was left injured and rushed to the nearby Lacor hospital for treatment.
The fire in Obiya parish west, about 6 kms from Gulu town, is, according to eye witnesses suspected to have started from a rubbish heap before spreading to a video hall made of papyrus.
“It was a normal day of business but around 3 pm, I saw a fire razing video halls behind my container, it didn’t take long before my saloon caught fire. I could not do anything,” said Godfrey Abaro, a saloon owner.
The afternoon fire left ten shops, two saloons, three restaurants, five video halls and thirteen huts destroyed. An unspecified amount thought to be in millions of shillings was lost.
Teary traders looked on helplessly as the fire consumed their property before it was put off by the police fire brigade and a fire truck from Lacor hospital.
“On several occasions, we have been warning those who operate the restaurants against disposing burning charcoal in the garbage pit but they don’t listen. In 2014, fire burnt huts and it started from the same pit,” said James Lawula, a land lord whose tenants had their businesses and huts were destroyed.
Godfrey Abaro 35, a phone and radio mechanic who also operates Mid Boys Saloon said he lost property worth eight million shillings. Mr Abaro said he lost hair machines, mirrors, a television set, music systems, chairs and his clients phones and radios that were brought for repair.
Ms Juliet Bongomin, whose seven huts got burnt in the inferno, said she lost Shs 660,000 cash while scholastic materials for her children were burnt down.
“I am helpless at the moment. I am a widowed mother of twelve and the money meant to pay for children’s school fees is no more. I want the district to respond to this emergency and help us out,” a teary Ms Bongomin said.
Mr Charles Mwaka, Chairperson of Traders at Lacor trading center said the value of goods damaged could not be readily established but noted that they will verify and alert local authorities for possible help.
Aswa Regional Police Spokesperson, Mr Jimmy Patrick Okema told Acholi Times that police are yet to assess the extent of the damage.
“We got calls about the fire and immediately rang the Fire Department at Lacor Hospital who responded swiftly although the fire had already gutted many buildings. Our preliminary findings shows that the fire begun from a garbage pit,” Mr Okema said.
Last Friday, a mysterious fire also gutted a Merchandize store belonging to Mr George Okello, a Whole sale Business man in Gulu Municipality destroying goods worth Shs 20 million.
In March 2014, Gulu main market Temporary site at Kaunda Grounds in Bardege Division Gulu Municipality destroying goods estimated at Shs 200 million.
