The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed that the fire, which destroyed a cluster of commercial shops selling assorted drinks at Achimota Abofu, near the Shell Filling Station, on Sunday, November 9, was caused by unattended cooking.
Three fire appliances from the Anyaa, National Headquarters, and Legon Fire Stations were dispatched to the scene to contain the blaze.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Accra Regional Fire Commander, ACFO Rashid Kwame Nisawu, told Channel One Newsroom the fire started due to negligence.
“The fire started from one of the containers, and it’s a straightforward story, somebody left soup on fire and went to church. I don’t want to mention the person’s name for security reasons.”
He warned market traders against cooking in shops, emphasising that such practices increase the risk of fire incidents.
“These things we have been saying that they should not be cooking in the markets and shops, some of them have not been listening to the advice, and that is what has happened,” he said.
ACFO Nisawu also highlighted challenges with access to the commercial shops and other markets, urging facility owners to comply with regulations concerning fire hydrants and other safety measures to prevent future occurrences.
