[ 2012-07-09 ]

A section of the Asafo Market in Kumasi that was destroyed by the fire. Photo credit: Graphic.com.gh

Fire Service investigates cause of Asafo Market fire today
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) would today
begin investigations to establish the cause of the
fire outbreak that swept through parts of the
Asafo Market in Kumasi in the early hours of
Saturday.

Saturday’s incident, which came in the wake of
recent but even more disastrous fires in the
city’s Central Market, was alleged to have started
during intermittent power outages in the night.

But, Mr Clement Kegeri spokesman of the KMA Chief
Executive said it was too early to apportion
responsibility for the blaze and that all would
have to wait for the GNFS to complete its work.

This would enable the assembly establish the cause
of the fire, and also respond to the necessary
recommendations that would be made.

Mr Kegeri stated this in an interview after the
Kumasi Mayor, Samuel Sarpong had visited the
site.

There was wailing from some of the victims on
seeing the destruction the blaze had caused to
their wares and other property running into
several thousands of Ghana Cedis.

The fire destroyed a number of shops and affected
persons were visibly shocked when they saw the
damage caused.

A nearby post office was also partially affected
by the blaze.

According to eyewitnesses, smoke was detected in
the area at about 1am on Saturday during the power
outages.

Fire personnel were called in but before they came
in to fight the blaze a number of shops had
already been destroyed. The portion of the market
that was burnt hosted mostly selling points for
leatherwear and women’s dresses.

During his visit to the site, the Kumasi Mayor
consoled the victims for the losses and gave the
assurance the assembly would do everything
possible to assuage their predicament.

Kumasi is becoming synonymous with fire outbreaks
in the city’s markets. The Central Market is the
worst affected.

Source - Daily Graphic

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