The cause of the Friday night fire that razed down stalls, vehicles and spare part shops in Jua Kali’s Zambia base has been revealed.
Investigators think an electrical short-circuit which was the most likely cause of the fire.
“For the areas, not consumed there were evidence of exposed electrical cables being potential danger for a fire outbreak at the slightest provocation.”
Arson attack
The task force team chaired by City Manager Abala Wanga however also linked the fire to an overnight cooking in one or arson in the findings of the fire incident.
“The team uncovered a long-standing unresolved dispute on land ownership that could have been a bone of contention leading to possible arson attack.”
The area went up in flames on leaving the business owners with millions of loses.
Both the fire fighters from the county government and Kibos Sugar Company battled the flames to save the fire from spreading to other parts.
At the moment, the team cannot state with certainty the total value of property destroyed
Task Force report
Damage
Following the incident Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o formed a team to look into the extent of the damage and come up with necessary precautions.
Police reports had earlier indicated that four vehicles were razed down.
The team also reported that about 60 stalls built with corrugated iron sheets and timber were razed to ashes.
Jua-Kali and other informal sectors should adhere to physical planning standards
“At the moment, the team cannot state with certainty the total value of property destroyed,” read the statement in part.
“The traders had no general business premise insurance cover at the time of the incident, a situation that impaired the possibility of valuing the assets before the fire,” it furthered.
Recommendation
In their recommendation, the task force urged the government to enforce compliance to fire safety and preparedness measures.
“Jua-Kali and other informal sectors should adhere to physical planning standards,” read the report.
They also urged the county government to assess the temporary construction materials requirements and also create additional fire hydrants at professionally guided locations to be able to respond to fire incidences.