Businessmen and onlookers at the fire scene peruse through the debris to assess the loss [©Gurtong]
By Peter Lokale Nakimangole
TORIT, 2nd February 2012 [Gurtong] – Dozens of essential goods were burnt to ashes as uncontrolled fire erupted yesterday at about 1.30 pm at Omoliha market in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State (EES).
The fire destroyed goods of unknown value belonging to a large scale Kenyan businessman, Mr. Jessie Kinga, a dealer in a variety of construction and building materials and doubles as one of the leading suppliers in EES.
Speaking to Gurtong at scene, Mr. Abraham Odong, also a businessman lamented on the damages and losses he incurred since the fire began.
Odong commended the fire brigade team for arriving in time to rescue the situation. “The fire brigade at least responded early. This is good. I must thank them especially their Director.” He said that it was too early to count losses after the inferno.
Mr. Amar Julla, a dealer in computer services and stationeries, whose superstore is close to the Mr. Jessie Kinga’s store disclosed that although his equipments were safe from the fire, a some were damaged due the water used to extinguish the fire.
Briefing the press after the incidence, the State Director for fire brigade in EES, Col. Cyprian Odiongo Tisiano said that the fire incident report reached his office at 2:58pm, and without delays he mobilized his fire fighters with about 4 fire extinguishers and a water truck to rescue the situation.
He revealed that an electric generator was the source of the fire, which later escalated leading to unconfirmed number of damages.
Mr. Jessi Kinga refused to talk to media due to frustrations after the incidence.