Kumasi: Fire guts mechanic shops at Asokwa

A massive fire engulfed a chain of mechanic shops in the late hours of Wednesday at Asokwa in the Kumasi Metropolis.

The fire destroyed six vehicles, numerous car engines, and upholstery materials.

According to the Ashanti Regional Operations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service(GNFS), DO II Nicholas Opoku Aikins, they were alerted of the fire around 9:30 pm.

The officers responded promptly and arrived at the scene within six minutes and their efforts were further aided by an unexpected downpour in the area.

“We have surveyed the extent of the damage here; however, due to the darkness, we are unable to determine the exact cause of the fire at this time. Tomorrow morning, the on-duty crew will thoroughly assess the situation and investigate potential causes,” DO II Aikins explained.

Meanwhile, the affected mechanics commended the swift response of the fire service personnel while they begin the arduous task of quantifying their losses.

The local chairman of artisans in the area, Richard Appiah Kubi whose shop was also affected expressed the distress this incident has brought upon them.

“The burnt items include a wide range of vehicle engines, belonging to both us and our customers. Additionally, there are irreparable losses such as spare parts and vehicles destroyed by the fire. These included the latest models of Honda SUV, Toyota Corolla, and Nissan Pickup,” he lamented.