Traders at the Kejetia Market in Kumasi are reeling from losses after a fire broke out and gutted two shops in the Ashanti Region’s largest trading hub.
The blaze, which reportedly started in the early hours of Friday, consumed property, including textiles and other fabrics stored in the affected shops.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the fire originated from a shop that had been closed for over a year. It then spread to a neighboring shop, destroying goods in its path.
The President of the Federation of Kejetia Traders, Nana Akwasi Prempeh, commended the swift response of the Fire Service, which he said prevented the fire from causing further damage.
“The security agencies patrol the market every night since we received intelligence about a potential arson attack on the facility. Thanks to the quick intervention of the Fire Service, the situation was contained,” he said.
The cause of the fire remains unknown as the Fire Service investigates the circumstances surrounding the outbreak.
Traders have been advised to switch off all electrical appliances before leaving the market to prevent such incidents.
This fire adds to a string of recent outbreaks at commercial centers across the country in the past few weeks, raising concerns about safety measures in markets.
