Early in the evening, a large fire broke out at the Kantamanto market, one of the largest in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
Fortunately, no deaths were recorded, although the fire caused massive destruction.
The fire, which broke out during the night, quickly engulfed many stores, causing panic among traders. The latter, taken by surprise, desperately tried to save their belongings before the flames consumed them. According to local authorities, more than 100 shops were damaged, but emergency services were able to avoid human losses thanks to their rapid intervention.
The scale of the disaster required the deployment of 13 fire trucks. Despite this considerable effort, the emergency services had difficulty controlling the fire, in particular due to the absence of functional fire hydrants in the area. The proximity of the stores, often juxtaposed, facilitated the rapid spread of the flames, making the firefighters’ task even more complex.
Neighborhood residents also participated in the firefighting effort, bringing buckets of water and makeshift tools to try to limit the damage.
-Alex King Nartey, spokesperson for the Ghana Fire Service, said: “We have saved more shops than those destroyed by the fire, but it remains a disaster for the community.” The investigation into the origin of the fire has been launched, although no cause has yet been determined.
The Kantamanto market is an economic pillar for many local families and businesses, and material losses are considerable.
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