For some business owners at Gakiriro woodshops, it was difficult to put into words their shock as they watched their properties go up in flames after a fire broke out at the Gisozi-based carpentry workshops on Thursday morning. The fire, which broke out around 4:45 a.m. of May 30, ravaged the Gakiriro woodshops, with two out of three blocks on one side of the market, almost being reduced to ashes. The Police Fire and Rescue Brigade intervened and around 11 a.m. firefighters were still trying to put out the fire. ALSO READ: Major fire breaks out at Gakiriro woodshops Few were willing to speak to the media, with hinting that this was the biggest blaze to affect the carpentry facility managed by the cooperative ADARWA. “I lost everything in my showroom, beds, chairs, and other furniture, worth at least Rwf18 million,” said Alexander Nshimiyimana, a sawyer and hardware businessman operating in the affected zone. Nshimiyimana said fires gutted his business two times in the past and his activities were not insured. “The premiums I was offered were too high compared to the level of my investment. I had planned to get insured once I reached about Rwf40 million in capital. Some of my colleagues also didn’t have insurance.” ALSO READ: Gasabo: Fire outbreak kills man, two children The cause of the fire remains unknown as the incident started in the early morning when there were no people inside the woodshops. “We were previously advised to improve electrical installations, and we did, but the fires keep coming. We still don’t know why,” Nshimiyimana said. He added that there are some traders who have lost properties valued between Rwf300 and Rwf500 million. ALSO READ: Fire destroys autistic children’s home in Kigali Emma-Claudine Ntirenganya, the spokesperson for City of Kigali, said the city is assessing the extent of the damage and urged business owners to prioritise insurance and safety precautions. “For those with insurance, we will work closely with the insurers to ensure they are compensated,” Ntirenganya told The New Times. “We conducted an inspection at the market recently on May 22, and always encouraged proper installations, use of fire extinguishers and other safety equipment.” “This incident should serve as a wake-up call to those who are yet to insure their property. The city will continue to carry out inspections and provide support where necessary, especially for vulnerable businesses,” she added.
