SOUTHERN PROVINCE

MUHANGA — Merchandise worth Frw2m was destroyed when fire gutted a medium retail shop in Gahogo, Nyamabuye sector, in Muhanga District early this week.

The incident happened late in the night but the cause of the fire is yet to be established by authorities.

The extent of the damage was visibly remarkable and most of the damaged goods included foodstuff, packed goods, crates and bottles of beer and more than Frw300,000 cash in the money safe.

Apparently nobody was injured by the fire as the owner was reportedly out of the shop by the time fire was ignited.

The fire burnt for about two hours before Police and residents put it out.

Residents have claimed that the fire was caused by an electrical short-circuit.

But the 24-year old owner of the shop, Claude Ntahondi, alleges it must have been a case of an arsonist.

"The fire gutted from within, it is only my shop that was affected and the neighbors only came to my rescue after the violent fire threatened to destroy other houses,” Ntahondi narrated.

"There is no sign that it was caused by power failure. I believe that an investigation is the only way to find the culprits because all residents were awake but there was no one to rescue the situation,” he added.

Police sources said it was still early to comment on the cause of the fire until an investigation with the help of electricians is completed.

Eye witnesses however, said the fire was strange and suspected it was set up by malicious people because the young retailer had reportedly been prominent in business as he could pull many customers because of his service delivery.

Muhanga lacks a stand by firefighting equipment and personnel, although such fires are not common in the countryside.

Ends