A devastating fire tore through shops in Adum Kumasi early this morning, causing millions of Ghana Cedis in damages in the Ashanti Region.
The raging flames led to shop owners crumbling in despair, with some sustaining injuries as they tried to salvage their goods from the engulfed stores.
Clothing, shoes, jewelry, mobile phones, and accessories were among the items consumed by the inferno that reportedly started around 6am near Despite media’s Hello FM before rapidly spreading to multiple shops, leaving traders in disbelief.
Multiple two-story blocks have been reduced to ashes, with the blaze continuing to consume more of the area.
While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, some traders and witnesses have pointed fingers at erratic electricity supply as a possible trigger.
Despite the swift response of the Ghana National Fire Service, the fierce intensity of the fire and the congested layout of the area posed challenges in swiftly containing the inferno.
Although fire tenders were swiftly dispatched, the tight quarters made it arduous for the firefighters to access the heart of the blaze promptly.
Near the Kejetia Market construction site, where the incident unfolded, contractors provided water support, albeit unsuccessfully in quelling the flames.
Police officers were on hand to maintain order, as distraught traders and bystanders scrambled to salvage whatever items they could gather amidst the chaos.
At approximately 9am, Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene arrived at the scene, accompanied by a team of security personnel, including national security operatives, expressing dismay and concern at the unsettling turn of events.
As some shops continued to burn out of reach of the fire tenders, Dr. Amoakohene, visibly anguished, pledged to investigate the incident further and address the challenges faced in battling the fiery catastrophe.