A fire outbreak at an autistic children’s home in Kigali, on Sunday, February 23, left nine children unharmed but distressed. Reports indicate that the fire incident, caused by an electrical fault in the roof, happened at 7: 30a.m in Murambi Village, Ruhango Cell, Gisozi Sector, Gasabo District, with the home belonging to Esperance Mukamana burned down. According to Chief Inspector of Police Wellars Gahonzire, the Spokesperson of Rwanda National Police in Kigali, initial investigations suggest that the fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring. Gahonzire urged the public to use high-quality electrical wires and hire certified professionals when installing electricity in their homes. The house was rented by Julienne Gakwavu, the managing director of an organisation that cares for autistic children. Nine children were in the house but they were all safely evacuated without physical injuries. Items lost in the fire include three beds, chairs, a laptop, a desktop computer, and various educational books used by the children, with losses estimated at Rwf1.2 million. The destruction to the house which had no insurance coverage is valued at Rwf30 million. ALSO READ: Govt launches national assessment for building insurance Gahonzire emphasised the importance of fire safety education and the need for households to be equipped with fire extinguishers to mitigate fire outbreaks before firefighters arrive. “We encourage everyone to gain basic fire-fighting knowledge and equip themselves with essential tools like fire extinguishers. The National Police Fire Department provides training to help people protect themselves and respond effectively in case of a fire outbreak,” he said. “Fire safety starts with knowledge. We offer training in public spaces like bus parks, hotels, and schools, and communities are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities. Basic fire response skills can help prevent massive property losses and save lives in emergencies.” Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire, but it serves as a crucial reminder for homeowners to prioritise fire safety measures and insurance coverage to prevent such losses in the future, said Gahonzire.
