Fire guts Gombe Junior School

Police officer put out fire from one of the dormitories. Courtesy photo

Gombe Junior School administration is yet to establish the cause of the fire that gutted school property on Wednesday.

The fire caused damage to two blocks that housed about 40 pupils. Gombe Junior School is owned by Buganda Land Board Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kyewalabye Male.

The officer in charge of Nalumunye police post Mr Samuel Nsamba said that the fire started at about 5pm.

“The dormitory that caught fire housed P.5 and P.6 classes located in the middle of two storied buildings and it was difficult for us to stop the fire due to the accessibility issue.  Good enough apart from loss of property no human life was lost,” Mr Nsamba said.

Some residents joined police to extingusih the fire. Courtesy photo

Mattresses, books and beds were lost, police said.

The school head teacher Mr Jackson Kasumba said they have not yet established the cause of the fire.

“A short circuit can be primary line of thought as the cause because a dormitory is not a kitchen where there is charcoal or other burning material. The cause of the fire is not yet concluded as of now,” Mr Kasumba said.

There was panic as the fire spilled through the building and parents rushed to the school to check on their children.

Unlike other fires or incidents, police dispatched its helicopter that hovered over the school until the fire brigade trucks arrived and put out the fire.

A statement issued by the school on Wednesday lauded “the concerted effort of the community, the IGP, the olice in general and our staff.”