The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has commenced investigations into the fire that gutted a two-storey building at Opera Square, opposite Melcom, at the Central Business District, in Accra, on Monday.
The inferno, which started at 4:34pm destroyed bags, sandals and other combustible items running into thousands of Ghana Cedis, but no casualty was recorded.
When the Ghanaian Times went to the scene yesterday, traders were counting their losses and the usual brisk business at the area was brought to a halt, as the place was condoned off.
Personnel of the GNFS were spottedat the scene still extinguishing pockets of fires. There was also a large crowd at the scene discussing the tragedy that occurred just months after a three-storey building at Makola was gutted by fire.
Victims of the fire outbreak in an interview with the Ghanaian Times, appealed to government to assist them revamp their business.
Some of the traders said they suspected the fire was as a result of welding activities by somepeople in the building, and called on the GNF to expedite action on their investigationinto the fire.
Others also called on city authorities to demolish the structure that was gutted, stating that the building had developed cracks and posed danger to traders, who operatein the area.
In an interview with the Ghanaian Times, the Head of Public Relations of the GNFS, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) TimothyOsafo-Affum, stated that his outfit deployed their personnel and fire tenders from various parts of Accra to quench the fire.
He mentioned Dansoman, Jubilee House, Trade Fair, Accra City, Accra Regional headquarters, Ministries, Parliament, GNFS National headquarters, Abelemkpe, and the Ghana Armed Forces.
The PRO expressed worry that accessibility places hindered the operations of GNFS, and advised against haphazard construction of structures.
The Ghanaian Times gathered that personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces and the National Disaster and Management Organisation supported the GNF to put the situation under control.
BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI
