Human and vehicular congestion impeded the efforts of firefighters to control the fire outbreak, which destroyed about 50 shops at the Hong Kong Market at on Monday.
Fabrics, cosmetics, jewellery, toys, and other wares valued at thousands of Ghana Cedis have been lost to the fire.
Dozens of firemen had a hard time extinguishing the fire and only managed to control it after five hours of fire fighting, with the main challenge being congested access, according to a Fire Officer who sought anonymity.
The GNA team gathered that 10 fire tenders from both Fire Service and Ghana Armed Forces were used in controlling the fire, which affected a four-storey building filled with general merchandise.
Divisional Officer II, Ellis Robinson Okoe, the Head of Public Relations, GNFS, told the media that they were able to save two floors out of the four-storey building.
He said the GNFS had a distress call at 0900 hours and arrived at the scene within 10 minutes but had difficulty accessing the place.
The PRO also noted that all fire hydrants at the Makola Market did not have the needed pressure, for which reason they had to go to Alajo, Nkrumah Circle, and the Ministries to refill their fire tenders.
He observed that though many shops at the Market had fire extinguishers, the shop owners could not use them when the fire started because they did not know how to operate the extinguishers.
"...But at the moment, we have been able to bring the fire under control and we are going to break the containers to ensure the fire is completely doused," he stated and asked traders and shop owners to be patient.
The incident affected trading activities at the Central Business District with many shops closed.
Some traders blamed the Fire Service for allowing the fire "to get out of hand before acting."
Madam Cecilia, a trader, said the fire started around 0730 and claimed they called Fire Service but they allegedly underestimated it.
The police were called in early to cordon off the area for safety and effective fire fighting.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
A wig seller, Taiye Saddik, also a victim told the GNA team that she has lost about GH¢500,000.00 worth of hair products to the fire outbreak.
She told the GNA team in an interview that they were not sure of what triggered the fire outbreak but presumed it could be an electrical fault and their efforts to put it off yielded no result.
Some shop owners affected by the fire pleaded with the government to come to their aid since most of them were operating on loans and this was their only means of livelihood.
Latest Stories
-
We may all resort to vote buying if electorates prioritise such over development – Asiedu Nketiah
22 mins -
NDF engages mineral extraction communities in advocacy and litigation resolution
26 mins -
Adabraka in community A/R unites to combat electoral violence
34 mins -
Forestry Commission cracks down on endangered bush meat trade
35 mins -
Global GDP could plunge by 24% by 2,100 without urgent climate action
35 mins -
High Court dismisses lecturer’s bid to block Deputy IGP’s appointment
44 mins -
MTN records 35.5% growth in profit to GH¢3.76bn in quarter 3, 2024
1 hour -
Deloitte to hold training on navigating customs and excise duty Obligations
1 hour -
Akufo-Addo, Bawumia should have prioritised National Peace Campaign launch – Mahama
1 hour -
AGI works to clamp down on substandard foreign mattresses penetrating Ghanaian markets
1 hour -
Immigration Service intercepts 54 gallons of fuel
1 hour -
Ace Medical Insurance makes its mark at Ghana Club 100 Awards
1 hour -
Dafeamekpor takes Speaker to High Court to affirm vacant seats ruling
1 hour -
Government is not funding GMX music streaming platform – Director of Marketing
1 hour -
Energy sector not advancing enough – ACEP
2 hours