Fire! Somotex, Fay Industries Destroyed

FIRE gutted the premises of two companies in the Accra North Industrial Area on Saturday destroying property worth billions of cedis.

Firemen from the Ghana National Fire Service spent close to six hours before the fire could be brought under control. Fire fighters from Tema Oil Refinery and Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority came later to lend support.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but eyewitnesses said it started from a warehouse belonging to Somotex Ghana, distributors of LG electronic products such as television sets and refrigerators, a subsidiary of Poly-Group of Companies. It spread to the premises of nearby Fay International, manufacturers of sanitary pads, toilet rolls and paper napkins.

Kofi Nkansah, a warehouse attendant of Somotex told the Times that the fire started around 10 a.m.

"Security men guarding the premises detected smoke coming from the warehouse and within moments, there was an explosion," he said, adding, "distress calls were made to some radio stations, the Fire Service and police for help."

According to him, items that were stored in the warehouse included chemicals such as calcium carbide, acid and granules meant for the manufacture of plastic water tanks.