The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed that no lives were lost in the fire that swept through parts of the Suame Post Office area in Kumasi on Tuesday night.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 27, the Service said it received a distress call at 2346 hours about the fire involving some commercial shops at the facility.
A crew from the Breman Fire Station, led by STNO II Boseah, arrived at the scene at 2357 hours to meet an escalated blaze.
According to GNFS, the flames were battled “both offensively and defensively” and brought under control at 0206 hours with support from the Manhyia, RHQ Substation, and Mamponteng Fire Stations.
“The raging blaze was fought both offensively and defensively and was brought under control at 0206 hours with support from the Manhyia, RHQ Substation, and Mamponteng Fire Stations,” the statement noted.
Final extinguishment was completed at 1043 hours. The fire destroyed 25 out of 44 shops and 192 sheds within the facility.
“Fortunately, no fatalities or casualties have been recorded as at the time of this report. Investigators are currently at the scene to determine the cause of this devastating fire,” the statement said.
The inferno reportedly started at midnight on Tuesday and tore through the market, razing properties and various items sold at the market, worth millions of cedis.
According to eyewitnesses, gas cylinders stored at the market exploded, contributing to the rapid spread of the fire throughout the market.
