One person died and three others were seriously injured in a fire on Monday, May 29, at a fuel depot on Mission Avenue in Lisala (Mongala).
According to witnesses, four other shops, near the depot, also went up in smoke.
Several damages were recorded and young people engaged in looting. But the situation was quickly brought under control by the agents of the national police.
Witnesses, reached by phone by Radio Okapi, say that the tragedy occurred at the large market of Lisala, located in the commune of Bolikango, not far from the town hall.
According to the same sources, it all started when a customer came to stock up at a fuel depot. And during handling, a few drops of gasoline fell on the exit.
Next to it, there was the fireplace lit by the wife of the owner of the depot who prepared donuts.
That’s what caused the flame. And this fire then ignited the entire depot but also four of the surrounding shops, which went up in smoke.
Those injured were admitted to the general hospital. But immediately, the teenager gave up. And the other three victims are in critical condition, hospital sources say.
For his part, the vice-governor of Mongala, Blaise Mongo, descended on the scene of the tragedy. He was attacked by young people called “Bases”.
The latter would have been able to overcome this fire. They protested against the lack of fire-fighting vehicles in the city, and indeed throughout the province of Mongala