A devastating fire swept through the Kasoa New Market in the Awutu Senya East constituency in the Central Region, in the early hours of August 25, 2024, destroying shops and causing property damage.
The blaze, which engulfed an entire section of the market not connected to the national grid, left traders and shop owners counting their losses.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) was alerted to the incident at approximately 8:28 a.m. and swiftly dispatched a team and three fire tenders to the scene.
According to Assistant Chief Fire Officer Grade II Kofi Forson, the fire had already reached an advanced stage by the time fire fighters arrived, making it challenging to bring under control.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
However, Forson issued a stern warning to market traders, urging them to refrain from activities involving naked flames, such as cooking, within the market premises. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, with shop owners lamenting the loss of their goods and properties.
The incident once again serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety measures in market areas.
