Takoradi market in flames

Takoradi (Western Region), 30 November, '98 - Items valued at about 200 million cedis were destroyed in a fire outbreak at the Takoradi market Friday night.

The fire was detected at 7.30 p.m. but the market circle Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) could not control it and had to call in reinforcement from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and the Takoradi Airforce Station fire services.

It took the combined team about one hour to put out the fire.

An official of the GNFS said the cause of the fire is not yet known and investigations are still going on to establish its cause.

According to Chief Police Inspector Jones Amoako in-charge of the Market Circle Police, some criminals took advantage of the fire out-break to loot items from the market.

He explained that the police could not contain the situation due to heavy smoke that engulfed the area.

Chief Inspector Amoako said the activities of the looters were however, checked when armed soldiers from the Ghana Airforce and the Second Battalion of Infantry arrived on the scene.

Items mostly destroyed include provisions, sewing machines and textiles.

Meanwhile, the Shama-Ahanta East Chief Executive, Lt Colonel Kaku Korsah and some officials from the Metropolitan Assembly have inspected the damage caused by the fire.

He commended the personnel from the Ghana Airforce for their courageous effort in fighting the fire and checking the looters.

Meanwhile, armed soldiers are guarding the market to ensure that looting did not take place again.

Mr Isaac Amoah, the market superintendent, said the market would soon be opened for commercial activities.