HIMA CEMENT FACTORY FIRE KILLS THREE, INJURES 8

By Alex Baluku

www.mknewslink.com

In Kasese—

Three people have died in a fire outbreak that occurred yesterday
afternoon at Hima Cement Factory in Kasese district.

The number was officially confirmed last evening by the Country
Chief Executive Officer Hima Cement Factory, Jean-Michel Pons.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, another eight were injured
with one in a critical condition, adding that the incident happened
when a team of Engineers was doing some installation works at the
light diesel oil tank.

But before the official confirmation, some people especially
residents, friends and relatives of the employees were still leaving
in fear.

Some of them had told Messiah Radio that they first heard a blast and
saw smoke coming out of the plant and after some minutes saw some
ambulances entered the factory.

According to the insider, fire sparked from one of the Fuel tanks
located near Line II area within the factory.

It was established that yet unidentified factory workers were doing
some fabrication work near the fuel tank.

Some residents who spoke to our reporter outside the factory said they
were worried if their relatives and friends were safe inside the
plant.

They explained that they heard an alarm coming from the factory and
shortly after some strange banging and sounding like a blast was also
heard.

The Hima Cement Factory Fire Bridge Unit was seen busy trying to put
off the fire flames as black smoke was coming out.
UPDF together with the Uganda police at Hima Police Station were
immediately called and surrounded the entire factory.

Our reporter, who was too denied access to the factory, saw some
ambulances ferrying the injured persons to Case Clinic in Hima Town.
But, he could not easily ascertain the actual number of people who had
been injured.

A video clip making rounds on social media shows the fire bridge
members holding pipes to put off the fire.
In the background, someone was heard saying the incident originated
from the fuel tank. He explained that the fuel tank caught fire.

But Engineer Ronnie Muhumuza, who claimed to be an employee of Hima
Cement Factory, told the press that the incident happened when he was
taking breakfast and immediately rushed to the scene to ascertain what
had happened.

Upon reaching the scene, he saw one of the fuel tanks having caught fire.

Hilda Maate Businge, the Hima Town Council L. C III Chairperson
regretted the incident and sympathized with families whose relatives
and friends have died and injured during the incident.

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