Panic as Dar courthouse catches fire
 
2005-07-22 07:56:16
By Keregero Keregero and Lydia Shekigenda

	Kisutu Resident Magistrate`s Court employee Chrispine Ndope puts out a fire that had broken out at the courthouse in Dar es Salaam yesterday morning.

A fire broke out at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, sending magistrates, lawyers, clerks, police officers and members of the public running for their dear life.

There was pandemonium as people ran into each other as they fled to safety after learning that part of the building, which is a beehive of activity on weekdays, was on fire.

The fire broke out at 10.10am in the building’s power supply cage on the ground floor and was quickly detected by court clerks and orderlies who raised the alarm.

’’Run everybody, run…a fire has just broken out,’’ they shouted, prompting a stampede as people rushed out of courtrooms and offices to the open space in front of the courthouse.

Court proceedings were disrupted after magistrates, prosecutors, lawyers and court clerks fled the building in the confusion.

The dozen or so police officers present at the courthouse when the fire broke out also took to their heels, adding an amusing dimension to an otherwise grim situation.

Journalists covering court proceedings and members of the public were not left behind as they too sprinted from the building as fast as their legs could carry them.

The only people who could not escape were remand prisoners who remained locked in the cells during the whole episode after police officers guarding them fled.

The fire initially defied efforts to put it out and it was not until after a team of professional firefighters arrived that the blaze was finally put under control.

There were no injuries and damage caused by the fire was minimal.
Several members of the public caught up in the commotion praised the way Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court employees handled the situation.

’’They prevented a catastrophe by alerting people that the building was on fire and promptly calling the fire brigade which should also be praised for its quick response,’’ said a man who refused to identify himself.

Another eyewitness said the building should have more emergency exits and advised that people permanently stationed at the premises should be taught how to use fire extinguishers.

• SOURCE: Guardian