Firefighting teams are still on-site battling residual fires following a blaze that erupted in the early hours of Friday, March 21, 2025, at Adum, the central business district in Kumasi.
The fire caused significant damage to several shops, prompting an immediate response from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) which continued their efforts into the evening to control and extinguish the blaze.
At one point in the evening, the firefighters exhausted their water supply and had to return to the station for a refill before resuming their efforts to suppress the remaining flames.
In addition to the firefighting challenges, law enforcement arrested two individuals suspected of attempting to loot goods from the affected shops during the chaos.
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities working diligently to determine its origin.
Speaking to Channel One News’ Hafiz Tijani, the Ashanti Regional Fire Commander ACFO II Peter Tetteh, attributed the rapid spread of the blaze to the market’s congested layout, which hindered effective access to the affected shops.
He emphasized the importance of traders adhering to fire safety guidelines to prevent such incidents and expressed concern over the limited accessibility for emergency responders.
Drawing a comparison, ACFO II Tetteh highlighted the Kaneshie Market’s strict enforcement of safety protocols, noting its resilience against fire outbreaks.
He advised the management of the market to enforce laws to prevent future occurrences.
“We don’t live here with you, you are doing your business, when we educate you, you accept the message and do the right thing. The management of this area must set rules of engagement for them. You know Kaneshie, since Kaneishe market was built they have never experienced a fire, because they have strong rules of engagement,” he said.
The commander also noted that earlier access to heavy machinery could have expedited firefighting efforts, mentioning that excavators were brought in later to create pathways for firefighters.
“It’s only this evening that the excavators came, we could have finished this job if we had had the excavators in the morning,” he stated.
He assured that fire personnel would remain on-site overnight to safeguard merchandise and restrict access until investigations are concluded.
Additionally, ACFO II Tetteh confirmed that some of the individuals who sustained injuries during the incident have received treatment and been discharged.
President John Dramani Mahama visited the scene to assess the damage and engage with affected traders, pledging government support to those impacted by the disaster.
He also advised traders to avoid cooking and using gas cylinders within market premises to mitigate fire risks.
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