The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed that no lives were lost in the massive fire that gutted parts of the Suame Post Office market in Kumasi on Tuesday night.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 27, the Service said it received a distress call at 11:46 p.m. reporting a blaze involving several commercial shops at the facility. A team from the Breman Fire Station, led by STNO II Boseah, arrived on the scene at 11:57 p.m. to find the fire had already escalated.
The GNFS noted that the flames were battled “both offensively and defensively” and were brought under control by 2:06 a.m. with support from crews from the Manhyia, RHQ Substation, and Mamponteng Fire Stations. Full extinguishment was achieved later at 10:43 a.m.
According to the Service, 25 of the market’s 44 shops and 192 sheds were destroyed in the inferno.
“Fortunately, no fatalities or casualties have been recorded as at the time of this report. Investigators are currently at the scene to determine the cause of this devastating fire,” the statement added.
Eyewitnesses said the fire broke out around midnight and spread rapidly after gas cylinders stored in the market exploded, fueling the destruction of properties and goods worth millions of cedis.
