The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), has identified the cause of the massive inferno that gutted the Timber Market at Aayalolo-Amamomo within the Accra Metropolitan Assembly in the early hours of Saturday, September 13.
Chief Fire Officer, Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong confirmed to TV3 on September 13 that an unattended rubbish fire ignited by a man who left to sleep was the cause of the fire outbreak.
She said the suspect has been arrested and detained at the James Town police station in Accra.
“The person has even been arrested and detained at James Town police station. He was burning some rubbish, slept and this is what we have seen now,” she stated.
Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong further issued a stern warning to the public regarding increasing negligence that continues to cause devastating fire outbreaks across the country.
Her caution follows a massive inferno that gutted the Timber Market at Aayalolo-Amamomo.
The fire destroyed heavy-duty equipment and materials worth millions of Ghana cedis, leaving numerous artisans and craft manufacturers in despair as their sources of livelihood were reduced to ashes.
This latest incident adds to a growing list of fire disasters at major commercial hubs in Ghana. Just three days before, a similar fire incident was reported at Laterbiokoshie, igniting public debate over the effectiveness of fire safety measures in urban markets.
Despite the prompt response from GNFS personnel, firefighters encountered significant challenges due to poor accessibility within the market. As a result, the fire spread rapidly and consumed a large section of the facility before it was finally brought under control.
“The inaccessibility of many of our markets severely hampers emergency response efforts. We need to address this urgently,” CFO Ntow Sarpong emphasized during her interview with TV3 at the scene on September 13.
She assured the public that investigations into the Timber market fire and other recent incidents are ongoing, and that all culprits will be brought to justice.
“We cannot continue to allow negligence or possible foul play to ruin lives and livelihoods. The Fire Service will work closely with law enforcement to ensure that those responsible face prosecution,” she said.
Source:Lovinghananews.com
