The shop in flames
A major fire disaster at the Kumasi Kejetia Market in the Ashanti Region was averted thanks to the timely intervention of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
The incident, which occurred yesterday, began in a shop that sells matches.
However, fire officers stationed at the market acted promptly to contain the flames before they could spread to adjoining shops.
Although the fire was quickly brought under control, the shop where the outbreak originated suffered damage, with goods worth hundreds of Ghana cedis destroyed. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown.
In an interview with the DAILY GUIDE, the Acting Managing Director of Kumasi City Market Limited, Ernest Afayam, indicated that the situation could have been far worse if not for the timely intervention of the fire service.
“We are fortunate the personnel responded swiftly. Their presence here helped prevent the fire from spreading beyond the affected shop,” he stated.
He further assured that management would tighten supervision within the market to ensure traders comply with established safety guidelines.
The President of the Federation of Kumasi Traders, Nana Kwasi Prempeh, also lauded the GNFS for their professionalism and urged traders to remain vigilant to prevent similar incidents.
Meanwhile, the Ghana National Fire Service has launched investigations into the outbreak to establish its cause.
FROM David Afum, Kumasi