Five children, including four from the same family, tragically lost their lives in a fire that broke out in the commune of Bukavu, in Cahi, a popular district of South Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The tragedy occurred around 1 a.m. on Saturday, July 22.
According to testimonies collected on the spot by the mayor of Bagira, the fire was caused by a household who unfortunately forgot to put out the fire after cooking with wood. As a result, 26 houses made of planks were ravaged by flames in this district where buildings are intertwined with each other.
This sad event highlights the recurrence of fires in the three communes of Bukavu. Indeed, not a week goes by without a house being affected by the flames.
Critics fuse, pointing the finger at the anarchic constructions and the promiscuity of the dwellings, as well as the unconsciousness of the residents. Some observers also emphasize the responsibility of the state in the distribution of plots, without taking into account the neutral zones. This lack of regulation favors the presence of highly flammable plank houses, which turn into real fires when a fire breaks out.
The mayor of Bagira, Patience Bengeya, also denounces the lack of awareness of the inhabitants as to the risks linked to their domestic activities. It calls for collective awareness on the part of authorities and citizens to prevent such tragedies.
Beyond these observations, another problem is added to the already worrying situation: the absence of operational fire trucks. Despite the announcement of the donation of five trucks by the President of the Senate, their presence in the city of Bukavu has yet to materialize.
Faced with this powerlessness of the population in the face of the spreading fires, it is becoming urgent to put in place prevention and rapid reaction measures. Raising residents’ awareness of fire risks, building regulations and installing fire trucks are all possible solutions to avoid such tragedies in the future.
It is also essential that local and national authorities become fully aware of their responsibility to protect the population. The safety and well-being of citizens must be a top priority.
In conclusion, this fire in Bukavu raises many questions about the safety of homes and the lack of firefighting means. It reminds us that concrete actions must be taken to prevent such tragedies and protect the lives of the inhabitants