Traders at Kasoa New Market are assessing the damage following a significant fire outbreak on Sunday evening that destroyed several shops. The Kasoa and Weija Fire Stations responded promptly to the emergency.
According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the full extent of the damage is still being evaluated. Authorities have urged residents and traders to stay clear of the area to allow emergency teams to work safely.
National Public Relations Officer DOII Desmond Ackah indicated that preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by an electrical fault in a shop dealing in cosmetics and other flammable products. He noted, “On a scale of about 100 percent, only about 10 to 15 percent of the market was affected, mostly food items like bags of beans, rice, spices, as well as some cosmetics and gas cylinders.”
Ackah also highlighted ongoing challenges in market safety, saying, “Despite our education efforts, people continue to cook within the market using gas stoves and cylinders, which increases fire risks.”
He called on market managers and their task forces to enforce bylaws strictly, emphasizing, “There should be no cooking in the market. Why are gas cylinders allowed? Why is illegal electrical wiring happening during weekends, putting pressure on circuits and causing fires?”
He urged the presence of certified electricians by the Energy Commission to prevent such hazards, stressing that fires in makeshift markets remain a recurring problem that must be addressed.
