Blaze Sweeps Through Adum Market in Kumasi, Traders Count Their Losses

A significant fire has erupted in the Adum area of Kumasi's Central Business District, engulfing a four-storey commercial building and affecting numerous shops. The blaze commenced around 6:00 AM at the Blue Light arena, located near Hello FM, and rapidly spread before firefighters arrived to tackle the situation.

A massive fire outbreak destroys several shops in Kumasi’s Adum Market.

Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes as shop owners frantically attempted to salvage their goods. The affected establishments predominantly deal in mobile phones, accessories, jewelry, and clothing.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) was alerted at 6:05 AM, with the first fire appliance arriving by 6:15 AM. Additional fire engines from KNUST, Ejisu, and Twedie were deployed, along with a turntable ladder, to aid in firefighting efforts.

Ashanti Regional Fire Commander ACFO II Peter Tetteh attributed the rapid spread of the fire to the congested nature of the area, which hindered firefighters' access to the burning shops. He noted that while personnel arrived promptly, the lack of space delayed their efforts, allowing the fire to spread further.

As of now, the full extent of the damage remains unclear, but the inferno is feared to have caused significant losses to businesses operating in the building. Authorities are yet to determine the cause of the fire, but investigations are expected to commence once the flames are fully extinguished.