A 28-year-old businessman, Steven Jaali, has died in a fire that engulfed his home in Kanyumu town council, Kumi district, while he was attempting to salvage money from his business.
Preliminary police investigations indicate that the fire started when Jaali was charging a mobile phone battery directly from a solar battery, which reportedly burst into flames, triggering a fast-spreading blaze.
In what police described as a brave act, Jaali first rushed back into the burning house and successfully rescued his six-month-old baby. However, he later returned in an attempt to retrieve money from his business.
It was during this second attempt that he became trapped inside and was burnt to death. South Kyoga regional police spokesperson Stephen Mukombe said the incident was reported to Kanyumu police post by the town mayor, Faustine Opit.
The body was taken to Atutur hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination. Mukombe cautioned the public against unsafe energy practices, warning of the dangers associated with improper handling of solar equipment and other fire risks.
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