It is estimated that businesses lost over Rwf4billion as fire gutted Gisozi workshops (commonly known as Gakiriro) on Sunday night, February 12.

According to Rwanda National Police (RNP), the fire broke out at around 22:20 pm, in the section of the market occupied by ADARWA, a cooperative that deals in timber, furniture, carpentry, and other construction material.

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"The fire destroyed a surface area of about 1500 square meters which accommodates 10 out of the 95 workshops. Materials destroyed include timber, furniture, machines, and other woodwork products,” said RNP Spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera.

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RNP and Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) are jointly carrying out investigations to establish the cause of the fire.

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"The fire has been brought under control, and the total value of the damaged property will be established after a thorough inventory,” Kabera said.

However, speaking to The New Times, Gervais Gumiriza, the chairman of ADARWA Cooperative, estimated that the losses may amount to Rwf 4 billion, because lots of high quality wood products and expensive equipment were destroyed during the fire.

Part of the affected section was previously burnt by a fire in August 2021 and investigations showed that it had resulted from a short circuit due to overloading and poor electrical installation.