

17 January 2025, 10:12 pm
By Mike Okwang Ogule
Tragedy struck at Apac Main Hospital staff quarters on Friday, January 17, 2025, when a fire, suspected to have been caused by a short circuit, gutted two households.
The fire reportedly broke out at around 6:00 PM, starting at the residence of one of the doctors before spreading to another building within the staff quarters. Both buildings were reduced to ashes, destroying property worth millions of shillings.
Speaking about the incident, Mr. Geoffrey Onuk, the Apac Hospital Administrator, confirmed that no patients were injured as the hospital and staff quarters are served by separate power lines. However, he expressed concerns over the suspected short circuit that led to the disaster.
Dr. Robina Akello, the Apac Medical Superintendent, revealed that the two affected staff members were away at school during the incident, although their wives were at home when the fire erupted.
Ms. Joan Apio, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Apac, also confirmed the incident, stating that further comments would be made after police investigations determine the exact cause of the fire.
By press time, the Lira Fire Brigade had arrived on the scene, extinguished the blaze, and begun an assessment to ascertain the root cause of the incident.
While no lives were lost, the fire has left the affected staff and their families in distress, prompting calls for enhanced safety measures within the hospital quarters to prevent similar occurrences in the future.