A major fire has destroyed parts of Masaka Farms, a manufacturer of milk-based products, and several warehouses in the special industrial zone in Masoro. According to an eyewitness, the fire broke out at around 1am. It is believed to have started in a nearby agricultural fertiliser warehouse, where explosions were reportedly heard at about the same time. The cause of the fire has not yet been officially established. ALSO READ: Fire guts Tic Tac hotel in Kacyiru Police battled the fire since around 2am until mid-morning. When The New Times visited the scene on Saturday morning, policemen and army personnel were around the area as firefighters continued with efforts to extinguish the fire. A Masaka Farms security guard who was on duty when the fire started said the explosions in the fertiliser warehouse ignited a small fire at the beginning, and it would have been easily extinguished if the building was not locked. We wanted to use some of our fire extinguishers, but we couldn't break into the warehouse where the fire was. So I ran to the nearby police station and asked them for help. They came with me and I showed them where the fire was, he said. ALSO READ: Masaka Farms launches eggless mayonnaise with lemon, cocktail flavour The guard added that before seeking help, he ensured all workers inside the factory were safely evacuated. The fire reportedly destroyed some manufacturing equipment belonging to Masaka Farms, as well as a warehouse storing raw materials. It also spread to another warehouse owned by Chinese investors. Masaka Farms is one of Rwanda's leading dairy and food processing companies, based in the Kigali Special Economic Zone in Masoro. The company manufactures a range of dairy products, including yoghurt, butter, sour cream, ghee and mascarpone.
