A devastating fire swept through the refinery section of Mount Meru Millers (U) Ltd in Lira City on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at approximately 3:00 p.m. The incident prompted a swift response from the Police Fire Brigade and Rescue Services in the North Kyoga Region. According to SP JP Okema, the Public Relations Officer for the North Kyoga Region, the fire started when a gasket on one of the refinery plant's machines burst while in operation.
The burst gasket caught fire due to high temperatures, and the flames quickly spread to the insulation wool covering the steam pipes. The fire then spread to the downer channels, or pipes, connecting to the refinery boiler. The insulation wool wrapped around the pipes reportedly contributed to the intensity of the blaze. A multi-agency team, including police and personnel from the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), responded to the scene to provide security and combat the flames.
Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) managed and documented the area as firefighting and rescue teams from the Uganda Police Force, MMP Group from Nile Agro, and Mount Meru Millers worked together to extinguish the fire. The fire was successfully brought under control at approximately 4:40 p.m. The incident resulted in significant damage to the refinery tubes and pipes, as well as the roof of the enclosure housing the refinery plant.
The insulation wool wrapped around the pipes was also heavily affected by the fire. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident. The cause of the outbreak is still under investigation, and the case had not yet been formally registered at the time of compiling the statement. SP Okema stated that the situation had been contained, but further investigations are needed to determine the exact cause of the fire.
The Police Fire Brigade and Rescue Services, along with their partners, including the MMP Group from Nile Agro and the Mount Meru fire team, were commended for their swift response and support in combating the fire. The incident highlights the importance of having effective emergency response plans in place to mitigate the impact of such disasters.
Lira City authorities and emergency services are working together to assess the damage and develop a plan to restore operations at the Mount Meru Millers refinery. The incident is a significant setback for the facility, but it also demonstrates the importance of collaboration and coordination among emergency response teams.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, and the findings will inform measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and maintenance in industrial operations to prevent such disasters.
Key points
- The fire at Mount Meru Millers refinery in Lira City was caused by a burst gasket on one of the refinery plant's machines.
- A multi-agency team responded to the scene to provide security and combat the flames.
- The incident resulted in significant damage to the refinery tubes and pipes, as well as the roof of the enclosure housing the refinery plant.
