Traders who were affected by the fire which ravaged a section of the Kumasi Central Market Friday say they are fed up with the numerous fire outbreaks in the market.
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Speaking to Joy News’ Erastus Asare Donkor, one trader who has been affected the second time by the fire outbreak in the market expressed worry about the situation. She said she is a single mother and does not know how she is going to cater for her kids as her shop got completely burnt.
Fire engulfed the 31st December section of the Kumasi Central Market at about 3:00 am Friday and destroyed about 70 shops. Although no casualties were recorded, large quantities of plastic bottles and cups, liquid soaps, cosmetics, and other items were destroyed. The cause of fire has not yet been identified but the traders suspect faulty electrical wiring.
The Assistant Divisional Fire Officer for Manhyia, Napoleon Owusu said getting access to that section of the market was a major challenge for the fire service as traders had blocked the walkway with stalls, wares and tables.
This is the second time fire has gutted that section of the market in 2016. The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly had indicated after the first incident that it would put in some measure to avert any future fire incident but Erastus Asare Donkor reports that the Assembly is focused on redeveloping the Central Market.
“The Mayor’s concern has been at Kejetia where the first phase of the project is almost completed,â€
He said the KMA believes that when the project is completed and traders have been moved to the new market, the fire outbreaks will cease. Erastus, however, added that a Fire Service Station is being set up in the market to control the menace.
Traders whose shops were destroyed have begun demarcating areas where their shops used to be as they plan to start all over again.
They are calling on individuals, organizations and government to come to their aid.
myjoyonline.com