A terrible fire destroyed a residence in Tororo Cement Industry Central Cell, Ticaf Ward, Osukuru Town Council, k!lling a mother, Jane Kisakya, 25, and her two children, Peter Kaliwako, 3, and Precious Kaliwako, 2.
The flame, which is thought to have been sparked by gasoline stored in the residence, devastated the house on Thursday night, leaving the three family members burned beyond recognition.
“I suspect the jerrycan exploded due to heat because we had a loud burst which reflected sound from a jerrycan,” said Bernard Woniala, a neighbour.
Woniala explained that Kisakya was cooking inside her leased room when the fire broke out, and that neighbours attempted to rescue the family but were thwarted by the barred door.
“We, as neighbours, tried to rescue the family, but unfortunately, the burglar’s door was locked from inside, and this took us time to render quick help,” he said.
By the time they broke into the house, the family had suffocated and burned to death. Kisakya had been living alone following a personal dispute with her husband, Ben Kaliwako. Kefa Othieno, the village chairperson, consoled the family and urged residents to avoid storing petrol in their homes.
“It’s so sad to lose three members of the family at once, and it should be a learning example from this nasty incident,” she said.
Michael Ayeli Ayeet, the area’s LCIII councillor, asked locals to participate in neighbourhood watch to increase community vigilance.
