A fire that erupted in Atasemanso, a market area in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, left one person injured and destroyed four container shops and two rooms. The blaze is believed to have been triggered by a gas cylinder explosion, according to Assembly Member Abdul Samid, who confirmed the injury and that the victim was taken to Atasemanso Hospital for treatment.
Traders and residents described scenes of panic as the flames engulfed the structures, forcing people to scramble for safety while shop owners watched their investments go up in flames. The destruction included several bales of second‑hand clothing and other merchandise worth millions of cedis, leaving the community devastated.
One pregnant woman, who was left without a place to stay, pleaded for help, saying, “We have nowhere to go. We don't know where to sleep today. Help me.” She is now homeless and faces the immediate challenge of securing alternative accommodation.
Preliminary investigations suggest the gas cylinder explosion may have been the cause, while the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) credited its swift intervention for preventing the fire from spreading to nearby houses. The Ashanti Regional Command of the GNFS announced it will intensify monitoring of markets and other vulnerable locations, with patrols during the day and night to improve surveillance and enforce fire safety regulations.
Arthur Arhin Mensah, the command’s Public Relations Officer, urged the public to cooperate with fire officers during these patrols as the Service steps up efforts to reduce the risk of further incidents.
Traders are now facing a major financial setback, while residents who lost their rooms must find new accommodation. The incident highlights the need for stricter fire safety measures in market areas across the region.
