Scores of slum dwellers in Asokwa Old Town, Ashanti Region, have been left homeless as a fire engulfed wooden structures used for accommodation. The blaze, believed to have started around 3:30 pm on Saturday, rapidly spread through the enclave, consuming the homes and belongings of many residents.
The fire's intensity was exacerbated by the presence of combustible materials and the highly flammable nature of the wooden structures, according to fire officers on the scene. Victims who were away at the time of the incident returned to find their homes and possessions destroyed, while those present managed to salvage some belongings.
Akolpuka Akolberi, a Kenkey seller in the slum, shared her experience, stating, “The fire spread so fast, so I had to run out. My belongings, including cash, have been consumed by the fire.”
Firefighters dispatched four fire engines to the scene, working to bring the situation under control. The Deputy Ashanti Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, Rashid Nisawu, reported that the fire was contained, and investigations into the cause have commenced.
He urged households to prioritize fire safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
