The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has clarified its response to the devastating fire that engulfed the Kantamanto market, destroying over 100 shops.
According to the GNFS, the close proximity of the shops made it easier for the fire to spread rapidly, resulting in extensive damage.
This explanation comes in response to accusations from some vendors, who claimed that firefighters prioritized dousing the flames in surrounding structures that had not yet been affected, instead of focusing on the burning market.
Addressing these concerns, ADO1 Alex King Nartey of the GNFS explained that the decision was strategic, aimed at preventing the fire from spreading to nearby buildings, as much of the market had already been consumed by the flames.
“Per our evaluation, the fire has destroyed over a hundred stores because many of them were closely situated by each other. So, once the fire catches one, the spread becomes easier. But the good thing is that the salvage is much more than the damage. Because, looking at the other buildings, we have been able to salvage them from the fire.
“It has been a daunting task, especially considering the fact that there isn’t any working fire hydrant here, it was a big problem for us. We had to travel to Frisco or GRA to go and replenish. In the early hours, it was so much of a problem, but when it was morning and the whole place became congested; it became a bigger problem,” he stared.