Early Sunday morning, a devastating fire swept through some parts of the Kasoa New Market in the Central Region, destroying several shops and causing significant property damage.
The blaze, which spread rapidly through the market, has left many traders counting their losses.
The section of the market affected by the fire is not connected to the national grid, raising concerns about the potential causes of the incident.
Preliminary reports suggest that the fire may have been triggered by human activities, though the exact cause is yet to be determined.
Akosua Agyeiwaa, one of the traders whose shop was completely destroyed, expressed her anguish.
"I was at home when I received a call that my shop was on fire. By the time I arrived, everything was engulfed in flames. I have lost all my belongings and I don't know how I will start again,"
Firefighters from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) were swiftly dispatched to the scene and worked tirelessly to bring the fire under control.
According to Assistant Chief Fire Officer Grade II Kofi Forson, the fire had already reached an advanced stage by the time his team arrived.
"We received the alert at around 08:28 hours. When we got here, the fire had already reached its growth stage. Given the combustible nature of the materials involved, it would typically take longer to extinguish, but our team managed to bring it under control," Assistant Chief Fire Officer Grade II Kofi Forson explained.
He further cautioned the market traders against engaging in activities involving open flames within the market, emphasizing that fires do not occur without a source of heat.
The GNFS has since launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
The incident has left many traders devastated, with many wondering how they will recover from the losses incurred.
As investigations continue, the market community is left to grapple with the aftermath of this tragic event.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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