A potential disaster was averted at Kejetia Market in the Ashanti Region on Thursday, January 23, thanks to the quick response of officers from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
The fire, which broke out around 5:15 P.M., caused widespread panic among traders and residents. According to the GNFS Ashanti Regional Commander, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Peter Tetteh, the fire originated from a shop that had been closed for over a year after its owner passed away.
Speaking to Citi News, ACFO Tetteh stated that investigations were underway to determine the exact cause of the fire, given the unusual circumstances surrounding the abandoned shop.
“The fire was noticed around 5:15, so our men rushed in to quench it. It started from a shop whose owner passed away a year ago and hasn’t been reopened, so we are yet to ascertain the cause of the fire,” he explained.
ACFO Tetteh also emphasized the importance of the market’s sprinkler system, which played a key role in containing the fire and preventing it from spreading to other parts of the market.
The system was activated as soon as the fire was detected, flooding the affected area and containing the flames before they could escalate.
“They were able to put it off because they activated the sprinklers which also flooded the place and so there should be a system to drain the water so that the sellers can start their business,” he added.
While the fire was successfully extinguished, the flooding caused by the sprinkler system posed challenges for traders whose stalls and goods were affected by the water.
ACFO Tetteh called for measures to ensure proper drainage systems are in place to manage such situations in the future, ensuring minimal disruption to business activities after similar incidents.
