GNFS personnel quenching fire at Obra Spot
Fire yesterday gutted about ten stores at Obra Spot, at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Accra, destroying merchandise worth thousands of cedis.
The fire destroyed foodstuff, alcoholic drinks, cartoons of bottled water and toiletries, among other goods.
The fire outbreak, which did not result in any casualty, started at about 8am and swept through almost all the stores, leaving those affected with debris.
When The Ghanaian Times went to the accident spot about 10am, personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service with support from affected traders and sympathisers were busily bringing the situation under control.
Baba Mohammed, a victim, stated that but for the timely intervention of fire personnel, lives would have been lost.
He stated that, Fulera Ahmed, a trader, who was trapped in a structure, popularly known as ‘container’ when the fire started, was saved by a firefighter.
Mohammed said the fire started when a gas cylinder in one of the shops exploded and caught fire, affecting nearby shops, which were mostly used as warehouses.
“Most of the shops here are used as warehouses. We have loads of goods here so this unfortunate incident would really affect people, but I thank God no one died,” he added.
Describing the incident as heartbreaking, another victim, who pleaded anonymity, mentioned that his goods worth GHC10, 000.00 were destroyed by the fire.
He said: “I am as good as dead. I took a loan from the bank to restock my stores and the goods were brought just last Friday. I don’t know what to do. I cannot believe this had to happen just when my goods were delivered.”
Ms. Esi Tweneboa, another victim, told The Ghanaian Times that she had lost everything in her shop, but commended the GNFS for the swift response to the fire, and was thankful God had spared her life.
The National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the GNFS, Mr. Bill Anaglatey, who was at the incident spot, said firefighters received a distress call about the fire at about 9am, and rushed to put the situation under control.
He said that investigations would be conducted to ascertain the cause of the fire, and expressed worry that the Obra Spot area was congested, making it difficult for firefighters to quench the fire.
By Raissa Sambou
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