The number of people injured in a fire that gutted Vivo Energy Depot at 7th Street Industrial Area on Wednesday is now at eleven.
Eyewitnesses at Rise and Shine Technologies which is opposite the depot, say they heard an explosion inside the depot sending a huge cloud of smoke into the air. The depot also houses Shell oil shop and another department for Gapco Oil.
According to an employee at Vivo Energy who preferred anonymity, the fire broke out while they were offloading the fuel from the trucks.
Hassan Kihanda, the Deputy Director of Fire prevention and Rescue Services said that investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire incident. He adds that they were able to put out the fire with the help of the VIVO Energy team before it could spread to parts of the depot.
Police first reported only three injuries. However, a statement from VIVO Energy released this morning indicates that11 people from the depot and a nearby street vendor sustained injuries from the incident.
“We can confirm that 11 people from the depot and a nearby street vendor unfortunately sustained injuries as a result of the incident and were immediately rushed to International Hospital Kampala (IHK), where they are currently receiving treatment” the statement from Val Akecho the VIVO Energy Communications Manager reads.
“Three of these are currently in intensive care, a further one is in the high dependency unit, and the remaining eight people are being treated for minor injuries. We have contacted all these individuals’ families and will be remaining in close contact with all the admitted to monitor their condition and ensure they are receiving the very best treatment and medical attention”.
Investigations are underway to ascertain the cause of fire.
