The fire, which lasted several hours, destroyed property even though no casualties were reported.
Fire officers said the market’s haphazard layout made it difficult to get to the blaze that started around 9:30 p.m. local time, razing down some 200 shops.
The Kumasi Central Market is one of the largest markets in West Africa with traders travelling from all over the sub-region to buy and, or sell their goods.
The ferocious fire outbreak reduced a large portion of the market to ashes after the traders had retired to the comfort of their homes.
It is the second fire outbreak at the market in less than a week of this New Year, and it is believed to have gutted parts of the market occupied by sellers of yam, shea butter, smoked fish, ear rings and poultry in an area called Bode.
While counting their losses, the traders, who broke down in tears as a result of the losses suffered in the fire incident, appealed for government for support, indicating that their livelihoods and businesses had been destroyed.
The cause of Wednesday’s night fire is not yet known, but security officers said investigations were under way.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Peter Anarfi-Mensa, visited the market in the company of Metropolitan Chief Executive, Kojo Bonsu, to assess the extent of damage.
Whatever the reason, fire officers believe the overcrowded conditions in the market contributed to easy spread of the fire which was hard to tackle.
An investigation committee had in the past recommended improving access for the emergency services at the Kumasi Central Market that also serves citizens of Ghana’s neighboring countries.
This position was reinforced by American fire investigators who were brought to the market for assessment after a similar fire incident.
The Ashanti Regional Deputy Fire Officer, Divisional Officer Grade One (DO1) Paa Kwasi Adutwum, told the media that Fire Service was yet to determine the cause of the inferno. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
