The Ashanti Regional Fire Commander, ACFO II Peter Tetteh, has attributed the rapid spread of the Adum Market fire to the severe congestion in the area, which significantly hindered firefighters’ access to the affected shops.
Speaking to the media at the scene on Friday, March 21, he explained that although his team responded swiftly, their efforts to contain the blaze were delayed due to limited space and poor accessibility.
“Our team arrived promptly, but the lack of access routes and the tightly packed shops made it extremely difficult to reach the heart of the fire. The congestion in the market severely hampered our operations and allowed the flames to spread quickly,” he said.
His remarks come in the wake of a devastating fire outbreak at the Adum Market in Kumasi’s Central Business District, which has destroyed numerous shops and valuable property.
The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Friday, March 21, spread rapidly due to the presence of highly flammable materials, making it extremely challenging for firefighters to bring it under control.
Reflecting on the severity of the incident, the Ashanti Regional Fire Commander described the fire as highly complex, explaining that it originated from the rear section of the market and rapidly tore through shops before reaching the front.
“This was a very complex fire,” he stated. “Many of the shops housed different types of goods, some of which were highly flammable, making it even more challenging to control. We’ve successfully extinguished the flames in the front buildings, and that area is now under control.”
“However, we are still battling the flames at the back, where accessibility remains a problem. Our firefighters tenders are positioned behind the buildings, but limited space restricts our operations. Though we have ladders to fight the fire from the roof, accessing the right points has been difficult,” he added.
Despite the challenges, he assured the public that his team is working relentlessly to bring the fire under control.
Emergency responders remain on the scene, fighting tirelessly to extinguish the flames, while affected shop owners begin to assess the extent of their losses.
Meanwhile, the police have apprehended several individuals who attempted to take advantage of the chaos by looting shops during the fire outbreak.