Artisans in the Suame Industrial enclave in Kumasi are counting their losses after a fire destroyed properties worth millions of cedis, leaving many business owners in distress.
The affected persons are calling for the urgent establishment of a fire station in the area
The affected artisans argue that the absence of a nearby fire station contributed to the extensive damage.
They lament that a previously existing fire station within Ashanti Region’s largest auto-mechanic hub was relocated to a farther destination, making timely responses to emergencies difficult.
The victims and witnesses describe the incident as “unprecedented”.
Tears dropped as artisans at ‘Garage 18’ zone in the Suame Industrial enclave in Kumasi salvage and discard debris from Friday night’s inferno.
Property, including serviced tipper trucks, saloon cars, mini-buses, spare parts and other automobile accessories, were razed by the blazing fire.
Peter Asiedu has worked as an artisan in the enclave for nearly three decades. He could not salvage any of his equipment, including restocked items.
“I had bought new items for sell later. But all have been burnt. I don’t know what exactly I will be coming to here to do since shop has been burnt. I am worried about how to fend for my family,” he told the news team.
The fire is reported to have started at about 10 pm on Friday from one of the shops in the area. Fire tenders reportedly rushed to the scene to extinguish the blazing fire as residents nearby sought refuge.
Ayishatu and her three children narrowly escaped the inferno.
“I could take anything except my children. Everything is burnt. Someone even gave me a dress to wear this morning,” she said while weeping.
Several hours after the fire had be extinguished, plumes of smoke continued to darken the atmosphere with pockets of fire burning in the area.
A witness recounted: “The fire tender from Mampongteng came first. The fire hadn’t even gutted five cars. But couldn’t douse the fire. It took the Ejisu fire tender to extinguish the fire”.
The Suame industrial enclave is the region’s largest auto-mechanic and trading center. The ‘Garage’ located on the fringes of the industrial enclave is home to many highly combustible items.
A fire station previously situated in the vicinity has been relocated to a farther destination.
“How can we be in Suame and have a fire tender from Ejisu to come douse fire? We used to have a fire station here but it’s no longer here. The leaders must ensure to establish one here,” an artisan appealed.
No casualties were recorded. But the artisans eagerly anticipate financial support to re-establish their livelihoods as most of them are without insurance.
