A potential disaster was averted on Thursday, January 23, when officers of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded promptly to a fire outbreak at the popular Kejetia Market in the Ashanti Region.
The fire, which was noticed around 5:15 P.M, sparked widespread alarm among traders and residents of the area.
According to the GNFS Ashanti Regional Commander, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Peter Tetteh, the fire originated from a shop that had been closed for over a year.
The shop’s owner reportedly passed away last year, leaving the premises unattended since then.
Speaking to Citi News, ACFO Tetteh explained that investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire, given the unusual circumstances surrounding the abandoned shop.
“The fire was noticed around 5:15 so our men rushed in to quench it. It started from a shop whose owner was reported dead a year ago and hasn’t been opening so we are yet to ascertain what caused the fire.”
He also highlighted the crucial role played by the market’s sprinkler system in preventing the fire from spreading to other parts of the facility.
The system was activated as soon as the fire was detected, flooding the affected area and containing the flames before they could escalate.
“They were able to put it off because they activated the sprinklers which also flooded the place and so there should be a system to drain the water so that the sellers can start their business,” he added.
While the fire was successfully extinguished, the flooding caused by the sprinkler system posed challenges for traders whose stalls and goods were affected by the water.
ACFO Tetteh called for measures to ensure proper drainage systems are in place to manage such situations in the future, ensuring minimal disruption to business activities after similar incidents.
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