A fire broke out at Accra's Kantamanto Market, causing extensive damage to over 100 shops. Despite efforts from the Ghana National Fire Service and local residents, the blaze spread quickly due to the proximity of the stores and lack of functioning hydrants. Investigations are ongoing, and while many shops were lost, others were saved. The market is a vital source of livelihood for thousands in the community.

A fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday at a large market located in the central business district of Accra, the capital of Ghana. The fire erupted overnight, causing widespread devastation as traders scrambled to salvage their goods while the flames spread quickly.

Eyewitnesses reported to local media that the fire started suddenly, with people who first noticed it shouting to alert others to the inferno that engulfed numerous shops within the market. The fire severely damaged large sections of the Kantamanto Market, which is known for its variety of goods, including secondhand clothing, building materials, chemicals, paint, and furniture, among others. In distress, many traders were seen crying over the loss of their merchandise while the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) worked tirelessly to control the blaze.

Despite deploying at least 13 fire tenders, the GNFS struggled to manage the fast-spreading fire due to its intensity, which consumed many structures in just a few hours. At one point, local residents joined in the effort, using buckets and gallons of water, along with basic tools, to assist the fire service in trying to contain the fire.

Alex King Nartey, a spokesperson for the GNFS, reported that their initial evaluation revealed that over 100 stores had been destroyed, largely due to the close proximity of the shops. This proximity made it easier for the fire to spread rapidly, with one store catching fire and then quickly affecting others nearby. Nartey explained that fire personnel had to make swift decisions to separate nearby structures from those already burning to prevent the fire from advancing further.

The situation was further complicated by the absence of a functioning fire hydrant in the market area, which forced firefighters to leave the scene intermittently to refill their equipment. However, Nartey remained optimistic, stating that despite the damage, more shops had been salvaged than were destroyed by the fire. He also mentioned that investigations into the cause of the fire were underway.

Kantamanto Market, one of the largest markets in Ghana, serves as a vital source of income for thousands of families and plays an essential role in the economic activities of parts of the business community.