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A fire ripped through wooden structures used as lodging at Asokwa Old Town in the Asokwa Municipality of the Ashanti Region, leaving scores of slum inhabitants homeless.
The fire, which began about 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, spread to other wooden structures in the enclave.
According to firefighters, the fire’s severity was caused by the presence of combustible and highly flammable materials, as well as the wooden structures.
Many of the victims who were away when the fire started lost everything, including money, while those who were present were able to save some of their valuables.
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Some of the slum dwellers who went to the location upon hearing the news watched helplessly as the fire destroyed the structures that housed their things.
Other victims were unable to hold back tears as they lost things.
One of the victims, Akolpuka Akolberi, a Kenkey seller in the ghetto, described how she was nearly engulfed by the raging inferno when she attempted to save her goods.
“I overheard people alerting us to the fire, so I stopped what I was doing and dashed to my structure to retrieve my belongings.” The fire spread so quickly that I had to flee. My belongings, including cash, were destroyed by the fire,” she explained.
Four fire engines were called to the area, where firefighters battled to keep the situation under control.
Officers have begun investigations to determine the cause of the fire.
Rashid Nisawu, Deputy Ashanti Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, said his officers were informed of the event at 4:08 p.m. and had to dispatch fire tenders to the scene.
