NAMENGO: Police are investigating circumstances under which the priest’ house at Namengo Catholic Parish in Budaka District was gutted by fire, destroying properties worth millions of millions.
Police were called in after the fire was spotted in the house at around 8.30pm by boys who stay at the parish.
North Bukedi regional police spokesperson Immaculate Alaso said the fire brigade from Mbale responded to the call but found that the community had already responded and tried to put out the fire with basins of water.
“Police observed that properties which were in the room where the fire originated from were badly burnt and part of the store was burnt but most of the property was rescued,” she said.
“The priest’s room was not affected and all the church documents were safe but a team of detectives will revisit the scene for better documentation and statement recording while inquiries are still ongoing” Ms Alaso added.
But according to witnesses, the fire was caused by a candle that was left unattended to.
No person was injured at the time of the fire outbreak.
“It’s unfortunate that the clergy lost some of his properties in this fire,” Ms Alaso said.