A devastating fire outbreak has razed a section of the Kasoa New Market in the Awutu Senya East Municipality of the Central Region, destroying about 100 shops and properties worth thousands of cedis.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but it took about eight fire tenders from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS)—two from the Central Region and six from the Greater Accra Region—to contain the blaze. The fire started at about 4:00pm and was finally brought under control around 8:00pm.
Speaking to Oyerepa News’ Nana Ansah, the Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) II Rashid Kwame Nisawu, the Greater Accra Regional Fire Commander of the GNFS, said, “We received a distress call at 4:50pm and responded promptly. We noticed that the affected shops dealt in various goods, and investigations will be conducted to determine the cause of the fire.”
The Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Hon. Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunor, who was present at the scene, expressed concern about the inadequate access routes in the market and vowed to take action to remove unauthorized stores and containers.
“We are going to take serious action to remove all unauthorized structures in the market to prevent such incidents,” she said.
She consoled the affected traders and assured them of her support.
The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) Director for Awutu Senya East, Mr. Nash Nyande, indicated his team would assess the damage and provide support to those affected.
He praised the fire service and the youth for their efforts in containing the fire.
Source: Nana Ansah, Central regional Correspondent
