The City of Kigali has ordered temporary closure of five facilities over failure to meet fire safety standards. The closures, effective Saturday, October 31, are intended to address safety concerns arising from non-compliance with fire safety requirements, the city said on Friday. ALSO READ: Musanze market blaze raises questions over fire safety preparedness The affected facilities are Agakiriro in Kabuga, Umukindo building and Comejoga in Gisozi, ASMMS Ltd in Kicukiro, and Gahoromani Market. The city said the facilities were being closed for “failing to comply with fire safety requirements, putting lives and property at risk.” Tenants, owners given instructions “Facilities owners must not charge tenants rent for the period during which the facilities remain closed,” the city said in the statement. ALSO READ: Fire guts factory, warehouses in Kigali industrial zone Tenants with perishable goods or other items that need to be removed urgently have been asked to do so before the closure takes effect on Saturday evening. The city urged owners and managers to take corrective measures, saying they should do so “without delay to ensure public safety and allow businesses to resume operations as soon as possible.” This comes amid recent fire outbreaks in Kigali, including a fire that gutted a building housing Sport Light Lounge bar in Kabeza on Sunday, October 25, and another at Gisozi Trading Centre, leaving damages to several premises. This also comes after the fire that gutted GIOCO Plaza, the largest market in Musanze District, on October 10. Following the incident, vendors raised concerns over overcrowding, water shortages, limited access to firefighting equipment and expired fire safety gear.
