Katamanto fire outbreak a false alarm

Accra, Jan 19, GNA - The Wednesday evening reported fire outbreak at Katamanto market in Accra, was a false alarm, Mr Abraham Kwasi Boame, Chief Security Office of the market said.

Narrating the incident to the Ghana News Agency, Mr Boame said information that reached him indicated that, the fire was set out mainly to burn refuse dumped outside the main market yard, between the hours of 1745 and 1830 hours.

He said with the experience of the major fire outbreak last month, which is so fresh in the minds of people, they became anxious and raised the alarm immediately they saw the fire gutting so fast with thick smoke in the air.

He said within 20 minutes the fire was brought under control with no threat to life or property.

Mr Boame said the fire service personnel arrived at the place so fast but when they arrived at about 1830 hours, the fire had already been put off.

At the Central Accra Fire Service Station, Mr Samuel Aryee, the Station Officer told the GNA that they received the news about the fire through a police dispatch rider and a caller but when they got to the scene, they found no signs of fire outbreak. He said after going round the market with no sign of fire in sight and as they could not enter the yard, because all the gates were locked; they suspected it could be a false alarm, so they left.