A fire outbreak in the early hours of Sunday, January 25, has gutted the Bimbilla Yam Market, destroying thousands of tubers and leaving traders counting their losses.
The fire reportedly started around 4:20 a.m. at the market. The exact cause is yet to be established, as officers from the Ghana National Fire Service say investigations are ongoing.
Firefighters, however, managed to bring the blaze under control. Assistant Divisional Officer Grade One, Abdulai Mohammed, speaking to Channel One News, confirmed that investigations are underway.
“When we arrived at the scene, the fire was very, very heavy. It involved some of the yam stores and some wooden structures around. So quickly, we went into action to prevent the fire from spreading to the other parts of the market. And we were able to confine it and eventually extinguish it.
“The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, and we have yet to value the cost of the items that have been destroyed,” he said
He further advised residents and traders to take precautionary measures in handling fire both at home and at workplaces.
“Our advice to the general public, especially those in the market, is that during this festive season, they should be very careful with the way they handle fire. They should make sure to turn off all electrical appliances when they leave their shops. And also, they should avoid any form of open burning within the market,” he added.
Some shed owners, who lost their goods in the inferno, appealed to Channel One for assistance as they struggle to recover from the losses.
“I had a call from a friend that our sheds in the market have been gutted, and we rushed here. All the sheds have been destroyed. I have about five hundred yams in my shed. We suspect drug addicts operating in the market here at night. They set fire to one of the sheds, and we suspect it is the cause. We are urging a ban on the addicts from the market. We are appealing for support because the loss is huge,” said shed owner Asheitu Musah.
Meanwhile, some residents have alleged that the fire may have been caused by drug addicts operating in the market. They are calling on authorities to clamp down on such activities in the area.
