Property worth millions was destroyed when fire gutted a hardware shop in Nyabugogo, Nyarugenge District.According to eyewitnesses, the fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon while the owner of the shop, located along the Nyabugogo-Huye road, Diuedonne Sibomana, was away.“The shop was locked and we saw smoke coming out. We tried to call the shop attendant. However, when he took long to arrive, we decided to force our way in to save the whole building,” one eyewitness said.Residents and owners of shops in the same building put up a spirited fight to try and put out the blaze using water and sand before the fire brigade arrived. They managed to save the shop and the house, which also houses a lodge. Although the cause of the fire is yet to be established, Manasseh Yumvabose, the shell-shocked shop attendant, believes that the fire was sparked off by welding activities nearby.“We had earlier in the day tried to expand the room and I think sparks from welding set the timber in the shop on fire,” Yumvabose said.About 32 cases of fire have been registered in Kigali since January.Chief Supt Reverien Rugwizangoga, the head of the police’s fire and rescue brigade, said that most fires are caused by welding, electricity short circuits, candles and cigarettes. Just this month, fire broke out at Ameki Colour and at the newly-opened nightclub in Nyarutarama, K-Club. The fires were all caused by welding.Chief Supt Rugwizangoga urged people to acquire fire extinguishers.The general public can call the fire and rescue brigade on 0788311120 or 078811224, in case of fire outbreak.
