A fierce fire outbreak at Tip-Toe Lane, located near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange in Accra, has resulted in the destruction of approximately 10 shops housing valuable phone accessories worth thousands of cedis. The incident occurred on Sunday, May 21, and required the combined efforts of fire tenders from the Abelenkpe and Ministries branches of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to extinguish the flames.
Fortunately, there were no reported casualties, but the affected shop owners have suffered significant losses. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, leaving the affected individuals in a state of uncertainty.
Kenser Manford, one of the shop owners whose establishment was completely burnt, expressed his disappointment despite the prompt response of the firefighters. Although they arrived swiftly, they were unable to salvage any of the items.
According to Manford, the fire allegedly started from the back of the shops, but the exact ignition point remains unknown. By the time they became aware of the situation, everything had already been consumed by the intense flames. He lamented the irreparable loss, stating that the shop owners could only account for the items seen scattered on the ground. The extent of the damage indicates that the fire had been raging for a significant period before reaching their premises.
ADOII Alex Nartey, a representative of the Public Relations Department of the GNFS, urged the public to refrain from making premature conclusions regarding the cause of the fire. Investigations are underway to ascertain the source of the blaze, and until then, any speculation should be avoided.
Nartey also shed light on the challenges faced by the firefighting personnel during such incidents. He emphasized that the GNFS operates systematically and efficiently, but sometimes faces criticism and impatience from onlookers. While the firefighters are diligently working to cool off various areas and prevent further spreading of the fire, individuals present at the scene often express frustration at the perceived delay in addressing their specific concerns. Nartey called for understanding and support from the public, urging them to refrain from mocking the efforts of the firefighting team. He emphasized that their primary focus is on rescuing any trapped individuals and ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
