The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has successfully contained a fire outbreak at the Tema Community One Market, behind the Absa Bank, preventing it from spreading to adjoining shops.
The fire, which occurred within the market enclave, gutted six shops, but no casualties were recorded.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Divisional Officer III Ebenezer Yenzu, Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, Tema Regional Command, said the swift and coordinated response by fire personnel limited the extent of damage.
He explained that the GNFS received a distress call and deployed firefighters to the scene within eight minutes.
“Out of the six shops affected, four were partially burnt while two were completely destroyed. The affected shops included a tailoring shop and a metal accessories outlet,” Mr Yenzu stated.
He expressed concern over the conduct of some traders and residents who, instead of placing emergency calls, delayed by filming the incident on their mobile phones.
Mr Yenzu stressed that such delays could worsen fire outbreaks and urged the public to immediately call the emergency numbers 112 or 192 whenever a fire was detected.
He emphasised that early reporting and rapid response were critical, particularly in congested market environments where fires could spread rapidly.
Mr Yenzu also commended the staff of Absa Bank for their timely support, noting that they assisted in the initial response by using fire extinguishers to help control the blaze before the arrival of GNFS personnel.
He appealed to relevant authorities to consider establishing a permanent fire station within or close to the market to enhance response times and minimise damage during future incidents.
Madam Akua Ankoma, a clothing shop owner at the market, urged fellow traders to prioritise the acquisition of fire extinguishers and to avoid overcrowded electrical wiring in their shops, describing such practices as major fire hazards.
She called for continuous fire safety education for traders to help prevent similar incidents in the future.