Two children were killed when inferno descended on a home in Jinja on Saturday night. The fire is believed to have started from a candle left lit by her mother, Helen Mukyara, when she went to buy groceries at a nearby market. It is believed that a candle initially ignited the mosquito net where the victim was sleeping.

The incident reportedly occurred at Nsakabusoro Cell in Jinja City North District. Kiira district police said the children suffered burns beyond recognition. Her body was taken to the Jinja Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for autopsy.

Since Ms Mukyara was unconscious and being treated at a private health facility in Jinja, she was unable to tell us exactly what happened that unfortunate night.
4,444 residents of Mukyara district told said that they were shocked to hear that their homes had been destroyed in the fire and that their children had died.
Mukyara said that he locked the gate of his girlfriend’s house before going to Napier Market.
She said she didn’t notice until the fire had already destroyed most of the house.

A resident of the area, Asman Mwidu, said the gate was locked with a strong padlock and when he managed to access the scene, the fire destroyed everything and the roof of his house collapsed.
Another resident, Esther Nakagoro, said it was difficult to notice the fire in its early stages and only called police when the flames and smoke rose.

Kiira Regional Police Spokesperson James Mubi said the police and fire department were unable to rescue the children due to a delay in being alerted. However, he said efforts were being made to prevent the spread of the infection to nearby residences. Mubi called on parents to always leave their children under the supervision of a guardian who can protect them from dangerous and difficult situations.