F!re Destroys Over 100 Shops at Kantamanto Market in Accra

A devastating fire broke out at the Kantamanto Market in Accra on Thursday, January 2, 2024, destroying more than 100 shops and stalls.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, but the Ghana Fire Service has confirmed that the situation is critical.

The fire reportedly started around 1 a.m. at a shop near the GCB Bank in Kantamanto, quickly spreading through the market.

The Ghana Fire Service responded with urgency, dispatching 14 fire tenders from various stations, including Makola, Greater Accra Regional Headquarters, National Headquarters, Flagstaff House, Parliament House, Trade Fair, Dansoman, Abelenkpe, Kasapreko, Tema Regional HQ, Madina, and Legon, in an attempt to contain the blaze.

To assist in the firefighting efforts, the Fire Service also coordinated with the Electricity Company of Ghana to cut off power supply to the area.

Despite their efforts, the fire continued to rage, with firefighters working tirelessly to stop its spread.

ADO 1 Alex King Nartey, who provided live updates on the Ghana Fire Service Facebook page, shared that the firefighters were working in teams to limit the fire’s reach.

However, he pointed out that the situation worsened due to the lack of hydrants at the market.

The damage caused by the fire is estimated to run into millions of cedis, and it has left many vendors devastated.

Some market traders, upon hearing of the outbreak, rushed to the scene to salvage what they could from their damaged stalls.

Despite the efforts of the Ghana Fire Service, the fire continued to spread to neighboring buildings as of the latest reports.

The fire at Kantamanto Market has sent shockwaves through the community, as it is one of the largest and busiest markets in Accra.

The full extent of the damage is still being assessed as authorities work to contain the flames.