GNFS to set up Fire Posts in markets

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has announced plans to set up a Fire Post at the Kumasi Central Market and other major markets across the metropolis to promptly respond to fire emergencies at these places.

The Ashanti Regional Fire Officer, Semekor Fiadzor, said they would additionally begin intensive patrols of the markets.These, he said, were part of the measures the GNFS was putting in place to tackle the recurrence of fires and the attendant destruction of wares and goods.

The GNFS would collaborate with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) on this.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Fiadzor dropped the hint after he visited the Asafo and the Central Market.

This comes on the heels of a huge blaze at the Central Market that ravaged merchandize running into millions of Ghana cedis.

The fire that took hours to control, leveled more than 100 stores and stalls.

ACFO Fiadzor said the fire patrol teams would monitor and clamp down on any activities by traders that could trigger fire.

They would also educate the traders on safety practices and fire prevention.

He again spoke of the need for rigid enforcement of bye-laws on fire prevention passed by the KMA.

He raised concern about the congestion and the lack of accessibility to the markets and said these tended to present enormous challenges during emergencies.

“The situation where structures had been built on hydrants, meant to serve as water sources to fight fire, should not be allowed to continue,” he added.

ACFO Fiadzor called on the traders to do more to protect their investments and adhere to safety education.