Rwamagana: Fire destroys REG electricity equipment warehouse

A fire broke out at a Rwanda Energy Group (REG) warehouse in Kigabiro Sector, Rwamagana District, on September 7, 2026.

The fire destroyed electricity distribution equipment stored inside the warehouse. It started at around 2:00 p.m., although authorities have not yet established its cause.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Fire breaks out at REG warehouse

Residents near the warehouse noticed smoke and flames coming from the facility. They quickly alerted authorities and emergency services.

Eastern Province Police spokesperson SSP Hamdun Twizeyimana confirmed the incident. He said Police received the report at around 2:40 p.m.

Police then sent an emergency response team to the scene.

He said:

“An investigation has begun, but the cause of the fire is not yet known. We received the information at around 2:40 p.m. after residents informed us that the warehouse containing electricity distribution equipment had caught fire.”

The emergency team managed to extinguish the fire. However, the equipment inside the warehouse had already suffered extensive damage.

SSP Twizeyimana said all the equipment inside the warehouse had burned completely.

The destroyed equipment included electrical wires and other materials used to extend electricity services to residents.

Police investigate cause of fire

The fire has now been extinguished. However, Police have not yet determined what caused it.

Investigators are working to establish how the fire started. They are also assessing the circumstances that led to its spread.

Meanwhile, authorities have not released the value of the damaged equipment.

They have also not confirmed whether the incident disrupted electricity supplies in the area.

Further information is expected once the investigation establishes the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage.

Police urge residents to prevent fires

Following the incident, Police urged residents and institutions to strengthen fire prevention measures.

SSP Twizeyimana particularly warned against practices that can easily start or spread fires.

He said:

“We advise residents to avoid storing materials that can easily catch fire or cause a fire to spread quickly.”

In addition, he urged residents to avoid burning household waste.

He also warned farmers against burning crop residues in their fields. Such fires can spread to nearby buildings, farms and other properties.

He said:

“People should also avoid burning waste at home, while farmers should avoid burning crop residues in their fields because these activities can cause fires.”

Institutions urged to strengthen fire preparedness

Police also called on institutions to keep appropriate firefighting equipment at their facilities.

They further urged institutions to train employees on how to use the equipment.

According to SSP Twizeyimana, this preparation can help workers respond quickly when a fire starts. It can also reduce damage while emergency services are on their way.

He said:

“Residents and different institutions should have firefighting equipment and the knowledge to use it, so they can respond to a fire while waiting for emergency services to arrive.”

Authorities continue to urge residents and institutions to take fire prevention seriously.

They also encourage institutions to store potentially flammable materials safely. Residents should report smoke or flames as soon as they notice them.

The investigation into the REG warehouse fire in Rwamagana is ongoing.