Hundreds of traders have been displaced by a severe fire that consumed Kantamanto Market in Accra’s Central Business District, reducing practically the whole market to ashes.
The fire, which started late last night, caused widespread devastation. Vendors tried to save their wares as the flames spread quickly.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire burst out unexpectedly, catching people off guard. “We were sleeping when we heard someone shout. When we awoke, we saw that there was a fire outbreak,” one resident said.
To tackle the fire, the Ghana National Fire Service sent out 13 fire tenders from across the Greater Accra Region.
Speaking with JoyNews, Fire Service spokeswoman ADO1 Alex King Nartey described the situation as “very serious.”
He explained that while firemen were initially able to extinguish the fire, their efforts were hampered by the lack of a fire hydrant and the depletion of their water supply, resulting in the fire reigniting.
Despite the ferocity of the fire, he added that there had been no reports of serious injuries so far.
However, ADO1 Alex King Nartey indicated that extinguishing the fire could take up to two days, depending on its intensity and ground conditions.
Traders and local residents at Kantamanto Market assisted firefighters in extinguishing the fire, but the devastation was severe.
As smoke continued to billow from the damaged market, affected shopkeepers dealt with the sad loss of their livelihoods.
Many are requesting quick assistance to rebuild their enterprises, while others are demanding authorities to investigate the fire’s source and enhance market safety standards.
