NTUNGAMO – The abandoned school structure in Rubaare Town Council, Ntungamo District, has been razed by fire, leaving residents questioning emergency response while decrying persistent police fire brigade delays.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The deserted temporary structure that once housed Christ Care Nursery and Preparatory School, located in Rukiri One Kemyenda ward/trading centre, was reduced to ashes following a fire outbreak on Saturday morning at around 10:30 am.
Eyewitnesses Julius Kubiriba, Trust Kanyesigye, and Rose Aryatwijuka recounted the terrifying scene as flames erupted from the abandoned wooden and iron sheet structure, swiftly consuming it before residents could intervene.
They confirmed that along with other residents, they rushed to the scene only to find the fire had already engulfed the entire building, prompting them to fetch water from their homes in a desperate bid to contain the blaze and protect nearby properties.
The residents have since expressed frustration over the delayed response from the police fire brigade, whom they had alerted immediately upon discovering the fire.
Rukiri cell LC I Chairperson Karuhanga Geoffrey, who owns the plot where the structure stood, received a distress call and hurried to the scene, only to find residents already battling the flames with water from their homes.
He said that police were notified early but arrived after the residents had already done the heavy lifting, decrying the swift delay by police and urging the fire brigade to prioritize timely intervention in such emergencies.
“By the time I arrived, residents were already battling the flames using water they had carried from their homes. The police fire brigade had been notified but arrived after the residents had already done the heavy lifting,” Mr. Karuhanga explained.
Residents who preferred to remain anonymous speculated that the fire may have been started by children playing with matches inside the abandoned structure, which children often use as a play area.
The community is now appealing to responsible authorities to enhance emergency response systems and ensure the police fire brigade is adequately equipped to respond promptly to distress calls.
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