Three perish, scores injured in Kasese Hima Cement Factory Fire

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

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

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

However, before the official confirmation, some people especially residents, friends and relatives of the employees were still leaving in fear following speculations of high number of deaths.

Some eye witnesses told  The Second Opinion  that they first heard a blast and saw smoke coming out of the plant and after some minutes saw some ambulances enter the factory.

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

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

Some residents who spoke to our reporter by press time  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 loud bang were heard.

The Hima Cement Factory Fire Bridge Unit was seen busy trying to put off the fire.

UPDF together with the Uganda police at Hima Police Station were immediately called and surrounded the entire factory.

Our reporter, was  denied access inside   the factory, but saw ambulances ferrying the injured persons to Case Clinic in Hima Town.

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 having lunch and immediately rushed to the scene to ascertain what was taking place.

Upon reaching the scene, he saw one of the fuel tanks on 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 in the incident.

By press time the names of the dead and injured had not yet been established.