The Kejetia Market in Kumasi has been closed temporarily for assessment following a fire outbreak on Wednesday which affected the first and second floors of the market, destroying several shops. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, and there are no reports of any injuries or casualties, according to the National Disaster Management Organization. The management of the market has released a statement indicating that the market will be reopened at midday after a thorough evaluation of the extent of damage caused by the fire.
Traders affected by the incident were seen trying to save as many items as possible, while some victims who collapsed due to the smoke were carried to nearby health facilities. The area affected by the fire is known as ‘Dubai’ within the market. JoyNews spoke to an eyewitness who claimed to have been present when the fire started. According to the witness, he was purchasing items from a female trader when he heard her radio set’s battery running low. He briefly left his wares with the trader to buy something from another area, and upon his return, he saw smoke emanating from the trader’s shop.
The witness reported that the smoke started from the area where the trader had plugged in the radio, as she had arranged several items around the electric socket. The lady’s shop was located on the same lane as the carbide vendors, and the carbide got in contact with the fire and caused an explosion. In another instance, a lady fell from the top floor of the market while trying to escape the fire, and onlookers were distraught as they watched her fall to the ground.