A devastating fire has razed a major warehouse in Akyem Oda, within the Birim Central Municipal Assembly, destroying goods valued at millions of cedis.
The inferno, which occurred earlier today, left traders in despair as the building stocked with essential commodities was reduced to ashes.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident began with thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the facility before rapidly escalating into a full-scale blaze.
The warehouse served as a central hub for various traders.
While witnesses noted that the fire had already ravaged much of the structure before the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) arrived, they commended the firefighters for their swift action in preventing the flames from spreading to neighboring properties.
Speaking to 1960news.com, Divisional Officer Grade 1 (ADO1) Patrick Ampadu, revealed that the department received a distress call at approximately 11:25 AM.
”The cause of the fire is currently unknown,” Ampadu stated. “However, the service is launching a thorough investigation to ascertain the exact trigger of the inferno.”
ADO1 Ampadu expressed significant concern regarding the behavior of civilians at fire scenes.
ADO1 Patrick Ampadu, Birim Central Divisional fire Officer
He criticized the tendency of onlookers to obstruct trained professionals, which often hampers rescue and containment efforts.
”It’s something we must continue to educate the public on,” Ampadu said.
“You wouldn’t walk into a commercial bank and try to dictate their operations.
Similarly, when we arrive, you must allow us to use our expertise.
Without proper knowledge, bystanders risk sustaining serious injuries or even losing their lives while trying to ‘help’.”
He noted that “obstinacy” from the public often forces officers to divert their attention toward crowd control rather than firefighting.
He urged the public to maintain a safety perimeter of at least 100 meters to avoid harm from potential explosions.
As the country enters the peak of the harmattan season, the Fire officer urged residents and business owners to remain extra vigilant.
He advised, the dry, windy conditions significantly increases the risk of rapid fire spread, making fire safety protocols more critical than ever.
By 1960news.com
