Members of the business community in fortportal town are in tears after fire gutted three major shops and burnt them to ashes. According to Lydia Tumushabe, the Rwenzori Region Police Spokesperson, fire broke out around 7:20pm on Monday evening burning shops found on Brigtman Executive Lodge building along Bwamba road.
She adds that two of the affected have been electronics and home appliance shops while the other was dealing in beddings like mattresses, bedcovers and blankets among other things.
Tumushabe says police is yet to establish the cause of the fire, but that eye witnesses say they saw some sparks on the electricity pole that supplies power to the affected building before the fire started.
Police Fire and Rescue team worked together with residents to stop the fire as the owners of the shops tried to save whatever they could of their merchandise.
This fire broke out a few hours after another one destroyed millions of shillings in properties when Najjera market in Kampala gutted fire on Monday afternoon.
Traders were seen trying to save some merchandise while others collapsed in shock.
Many traders were crying over loans they are yet to pay back. One lady was seen crying, explaining that all her properties were destroyed. Fire is said to have started at 2PM on Monday afternoon. The market is brand new and barely half a year old.
There is belief that the fire also started due to electrical fault.
