A devastating fire outbreak on Friday, December 13, at Bogobiri in Obuasi claimed three lives, injured nine others, and caused extensive property damage.
The blaze affected five structures, including three metal containers and two concrete buildings. Additionally, it destroyed 12 saloon cars, one minibus, and partially burned another vehicle.
Four metal containers and other valuables were also consumed by the fire. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), in a Facebook post, confirmed that overhaul operations are ongoing to eliminate any lingering fire pockets.
The injured victims have been hospitalized in Obuasi and Kumasi, while the exact cause of the fire is under investigation.
Speaking to Citi News, Obuasi Municipal Fire Commander DO2 Rita Agboli commended the swift response of her team, which prevented further devastation.
“On Friday, at about 11 hours, we received a distress call that there was a fire at Stadium Junction. Looking at the kind of information, and calls we were getting, we realised that there were a lot of explosions, so we called AGA and Fomena fire stations and they came in timely to distinguish the fire. The fire was under control at 13:00 hours and it was finally distinguished at 14:23 hours. The nature of fire was commercial.
“During the assessment, we realised that 12 saloon cars were totally burnt, one minibus was also totally burnt, and one saloon car was partially burnt. Brake fluid, spare parts, nitrogen gas, carbide, four metal containers and concrete structures were also destroyed. The team salvaged 7 metal containers, three different-storey structures and their contents were salvaged. Three persons lost their lives and nine casualties with various degrees of injuries.”
In an interview with Channel One TV’s Nana Tuffour Boateng, the Assistant Divisional Officer 1, Alex King Nartey of the PRO Department of the Ghana National Fire Service, attributed the fire to indiscriminate wielding.
“The initial assessment we arrived at as a result of the fire was indiscriminate wielding, wielding that didn’t take into consideration any safety precaution using carbide. The carbide came into contact with explosives and combustible materials that caused the explosion leading to loss of lives. The explosion started from the wielding department of a fitting shop, it affected quite a number of buildings.”
He urged the public, particularly artisans working under comparable conditions, to exercise caution when handling fire.
“We advise people that these times are highly unpredictable times that they have to be much more careful and mindful when dealing with fires. We advise against incriminate burning.”
