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Kumasi Central Market fire destroys stalls near Aboabo station

A fire broke out at the Kumasi Central Market near the Aboabo station on Friday night, destroying stalls and merchandise worth thousands of Ghana cedis. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded to the scene to battle the blaze, which reportedly began around 7:00 PM. No casualties or injuries have been reported following the incident. The fire originated in a single shop and quickly spread to adjacent structures, primarily affecting traders who deal in aluminium wares. While the prompt intervention of the GNFS contained the fire and prevented it from consuming larger portions of the market, the damage to the immediate area was significant. This outbreak occurred just hours after another fire was reported at a mattress factory in Sokoban-Ampayoo, putting additional pressure on fire-fighting resources in the Ashanti Region. Impacted traders are currently counting their losses and have appealed to the government and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) for emergency assistance. Many of the victims expressed despair over the loss of their livelihoods and are seeking financial support to rebuild their stalls and replace lost inventory. Fire officials have commenced an investigation to determine the exact cause of the blaze, which remains unclear. Market fires have been a recurring issue in the region, often prompting calls for improved safety infrastructure and stricter adherence to fire prevention protocols within major trading hubs to protect the lives and properties of traders.