Kumasi: One injured, shops destroyed in Atasemanso fire in Kumasi

A fire in Atasemanso, a district in Kumasi, the capital of Ghana's Ashanti Region, injured one person and left residents devastated, destroying four container shops and two rooms. The cause of the blaze is believed to be a gas cylinder explosion, which led to the loss of property and merchandise worth millions of cedis, including several bales of used clothing.

The incident left a pregnant woman homeless and in need of urgent care. Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos as panic erupted, prompting people to flee the fire. "We have nowhere to go. We don’t know where to sleep today. Help me," pleaded a distressed woman. The traders suffered significant financial losses, while residents facing the loss of their rooms now grappled with the urgent problem of finding temporary accommodation.

Abdul Samid, the Assembly Member for Atasemanso, confirmed that one woman sustained injuries and was taken to Atasemanso Hospital for treatment. Preliminary investigations indicate the fire may have been triggered by a gas cylinder explosion. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) swiftly intervened, averting the fire from spreading to nearby houses.

The GNFS will increase surveillance of markets and other vulnerable locations to prevent similar incidents. Arthur Arhin Mensah, the Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, emphasized the importance of public cooperation and urged citizens to comply with fire safety regulations to reduce the risk of future outbreaks.