The death toll from a fire that ravaged a commercial building in Kampala has risen to two, with 20 people rescued in a dramatic emergency operation.
The devastating fire broke out at Sunrise Hotel, located along Rashid Khamis Road, opposite Mukwano Mall, on Wednesday.
The inferno, which broke out on the first floor, quickly spread through the structure, trapping occupants on the upper levels. Preliminary investigations indicate that the blaze may have originated from a restaurant, though unconfirmed reports suggest a possible link to an informal liquid soap-making business operating on the same floor.
Patrick Onyango, the KMP spokesperson says authorities are now probing whether flammable chemicals such as glycerin, ethanol, isopropanol, and fragrance oils played a role in the fire.
The building reportedly lacked fire suppression systems, a factor that may have worsened the extent of the damage.
The two confirmed fatalities have been identified as Akot Akol Arop Chan, a South Sudanese national, and Mwindadi Shineni Isa, a Tanzanian national.
Investigators continue to assess the cause of the fire, the full extent of property damage, and potential structural deficiencies that may have contributed to the tragedy.
