By DAVID AWORI

Four people including three children and an elderly woman have perished in a house fire in Makoma village, Buwuni Town Council in Bugiri District.

The deceased are Ms Eseza Nabwoso, 60, who died while trying to rescue Mercy Tibenda, 5, Mary Elanda, 11, and Rosen Ukasha, 3.

The fire which was reportedly sparked off by a candle is said to have started after midnight when the children were home alone. Their parents and caretakers had gone for night prayers to usher in the New Year.

Mr Baker Bisanze, an LC official, said one of the children is said to have tampered with a burning candle that had been left by the parents as they left for overnight prayers.

"We suspect the fire might have been started by the burning candle that was left by the victims' parents," Mr Bisanze said.

Mr Yonah Ochwo, who was among the first responders, said among the dead was a child who had just visited the family from Musita in Mayuge district.

"As police we call upon residents to stop leaving their children alone in the house at night and we feel it's better for people to use solar lamps instead of candles," he said.

According to Mr Batasi, the old woman had managed to rescue two of the five children but suffocated and died as she attempted to evacuate the other three.

Mr Muhammad Bagaga, a resident, said he was awoken by the inferno just after midnight and all efforts to rescue the victims were futile due to the intensity of the fire which had ripped off part of the roof and left huge cracks on the wall.

Cases of fire caused by candles that have claimed lives at Buwuni Town Council have been rife, with residents now asking Government to lower power tarrifs to make electricity more affordable.

The bodies of the victims were taken to Bugiri hospital for an autopsy before being handed over to their relatives for burial.