Inferno guts down ‘Downtown’

First it was the swanky B-Club in Nyarutarama, then Executive Carwash in Kimihurura, now it is Downtown Café and Restaurant as well as La Classe in the city centre, that have succumbed to raging infernos.Kigali’s ‘party animals’ will dislike the fact that yet another entertainment place is dusted off the list of favourite hangouts in the country due to a devastating fire that gutted the building housing the pub, a nearby pharmacy and the kitchen of the nearby joint known as La Classe.Located opposite the Commercial Bank of Rwanda’s main branch in the city centre, next to Kigali City Council, Downtown had made a name for itself as one of the popular Kigali hangouts, with its trendy setting and a good blend of music but the Friday evening fire left it in shambles.“It is unfortunate that Downtown was devastated by the blaze ironically on Friday but thank God it was still early,” said Fred Rwibasira, one of the bystanders who helping to put out the fire. “Otherwise it could have been a disaster if it was during the peak hours when revellers are packed to the brim”.It is suspected that the fire was caused by a short circuit and Police has called on owners of such businesses to install fire fighting equipment as well as fire detecting devices to avoid such hazards.Hundreds of Kigalians took to social networking sites like, Facebook and Twitter to mourn the razing of Downtown, ironically on a Friday, but again doubts over safety of entertainment places came into question. “Imagine if this happened at a time when people are full to the maximum. Last Friday, Downtown was packed to the limit. It could have been disastrous if the fire had broken out when it was full house,” one Robert Karara said.Police struggled to put out the blaze as it ravaged through the kitchen spreading into the neighbouring drugstore Pharmavie. The area was sealed off to allow firefighters to take out the flames which left plumes of dark smoke hanging over the city.Piles of utensils could be seen scattered on the ground as waiters and sympathisers attempted to salvage some of the property from the fire.Police has warned that fire outbreaks are a dangerous phenomenon.“On 3rd August 2012, around 19: 00 hrs, fire gutted the Downtown Cafe & Restaurant and, Pharmavie pharmacy both operating in the house belonging to Jacques Maniraguha in Nyarugenge District, Nyarugenge Cell, Kiyovu Sector,” a police statement says.The fire also ravaged the kitchen of La Classe bar belonging to one Theogene and burnt down valuable possessions worth millions.The Fire & Rescue Brigade and the Air Force Fire Brigade intervened and managed to put down the blaze and according to Police, investigations are underway to determine the cause of the blaze and the amount of losses.Police has warned business people to always secure such places that hold many people and also to always insure their properties.Police Spokesperson Superintendent Theos Badege urged the public to be vigilant as such incidents could cause serious damage and human losses.“Above all, there should be fire exits, basic fire-fighting facilities like fire extinguishers devices,” Police Spokesperson said in the statement.Badege also warned smokers to always put off their unfinished cigarettes as they are also known causes of fire: “Preventing fires in the first place, precious lives and valuable properties are saved.”

Leisure

Inferno guts down ‘Downtown’