Five injured in sauna explosion in Naalya

Scene. Marco Gym and Spa next to Quality Supermarket on Naalya-Namugongo Road in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District. URN PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • The manager of Marco's Gym and Spa only identified as Mercy said there were no customers in the sauna at the time of the explosion.
  • Mr Paul Tumusiime, a security guard at one of the neighbouring buildings, said there was shaking before the actual explosion, which lasted for some minutes.

At least five people sustained injuries and were rushed to different clinics on Sunday evening following an explosion at Marco's Gym and Spa next to Quality Supermarket on Naalya-Namugongo Road in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District.

The Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesman Patrick Onyango said the victims were the employees of the Spa.  He however, said they sustained minor injuries.

“Preliminary investigations show that the explosion was caused by the steam bath boiler resulting from excessive heating. It is suspected that the control valve in the boiler could have been faulty. The gas escaped from the sealed metallic container causing a mechanical explosion, which damaged houses within the vicinity. The victims were evacuated and the scene of crime cordoned off,” Mr Onyango said.

The manager of Marco Gym and Spa only identified as Mercy said there were no customers in the sauna at the time of the explosion.

Mr Paul Tumusiime, a security guard at one of the neighbouring buildings, said there was shaking before the actual explosion, which lasted for some minutes.

"It was like an earthquake and afterward it exploded like a bomb. In the next few minutes people hurried to get out of all the neighbouring buildings,” he said, adding that: “Those who were in the affected building also ran for their dear lives as many were shouting, causing a scene, which paralysed traffic on the already jammed road.”

In 2011, a similar incident happened at a health club in Ntinda when a cylinder exploded leaving over eight people with serious injuries.