A massive fire outbreak at the Adum Market in Kumasi Central Business District has destroyed several shops and properties.
The fire, which started in the early hours of March 21, spread rapidly to adjacent shops.
The fire service in a statement informed the public that five fire tenders have been deployed to put out the inferno.
The fire engulfed the topmost part of a four-storey commercial building at Adum PZ, Kumasi.
The fire service in its statement further said it was informed of the fire at 6:05 AM, and the first appliance from Regional Headquarters arrived at the fire scene at 06:15 am.
Three additional fire engines, along with a turntable ladder from the Regional Headquarters, KNUST, Ejisu, and Twedie, are currently battling the blaze.
“Rigorous firefighting efforts are underway to contain and prevent the fire from spreading further.”
Joy News reported that panicking traders had to break into their shops to throw out their wares as the fire spread.
Most of the shops deal in mobile phones and accessories, jewellery, and clothing.
According to an eyewitness account, the fire sparked from a flicking electricity pole in the area, leading to a spark on the top floor of one of the buildings.
Previous fires in Kumasi markets
In January, the Kejetia Market was also affected by a fire, which destroyed some shops.
The fire service said in a statement that it salvaged 23 out of 25 shops, preventing the fire from spreading further.
Kejetia has dealt with major fires in the past. In March 2023, a massive fire destroyed parts of the Kumasi Kejetia market.
In the last few weeks, several fire incidents have occurred in commercial centres across the country.
Fire service spokesperson Alex King Nartey noted to YEN.com.gh that safety recommendations are consistently ignored.
Most notably, thousands of traders were rocked by a devastating fire that gutted Kantamanto Market in Accra’s Central Business District.
The early morning blaze on January 2, 2025, reduced the vast majority of the market to ashes.
Market fires are a regular occurrence because of poor safety standards. A Ghana National Fire.
Powerful explosion rocks shops at Odumasi
YEN.com.gh reported that there was an explosion at some shops dealing in mining explosives at Odumasi in Asante Akyem Central earlier this year, leading to some deaths.
The fire broke out in stores selling dynamite and other explosives used by local miners, triggering a series of blasts that damaged buildings and left dozens of people injured.
The fire in the dynamite shop triggered earth-shaking blasts that also damaged buildings and left dozens injured.
According to residents, the fire started in a shop dealing in mining explosives before quickly spreading to nearby buildings. In total, 30 houses and eight shops were affected.
