Techiman Central Market in the Bono East Region was the site of a devastating fire outbreak on Sunday night, leaving over 100 stalls completely destroyed.
The inferno, which began around 9:15 PM, reduced goods worth millions of cedis to ashes, plunging traders into despair.
Eyewitnesses and traders expressed frustration at the limited firefighting resources in the area.
“A whole metropolitan area like Techiman has just one fire tender. If we had two or three, this fire could have been controlled earlier,” said one distraught trader.
Firefighters struggled to bring the blaze under control, eventually deploying six fire tenders from nearby towns, including Nkoranza, Kintampo, and Wenchi.
The Bono East Regional Fire Commander, ACFO II Naomi Ofori Adubea Sarpong, highlighted the challenges posed by the market’s congested layout, which hampered containment efforts.
“In such congested environments, fire spreads rapidly, making our work extremely difficult,” she explained.
Many traders lamented their losses, with some breaking down in tears. One victim, visibly shaken, said, “All the money I used to purchase these items was from the bank. Now everything is gone. How will I survive?”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but officials have urged the public to remain vigilant, particularly during the dry season when fire risks are heightened.
The incident has sparked calls for urgent government intervention to support affected traders and improve firefighting infrastructure in the region.
Many traders are appealing for financial assistance to rebuild their businesses and recover from the devastating losses.
