A devastating fire outbreak has ravaged the Adum Market in Kumasi’s Central Business District, destroying several shops and properties. The inferno, which began in the early hours of March 21, spread rapidly to adjacent shops, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire sparked from a flickering electricity pole in the area, leading to a spark on the top floor of one of the buildings. Panicking traders were forced to break into their shops to salvage their wares as the fire spread. Most of the shops affected dealt in mobile phones and accessories, jewelry, and clothing.

The fire service has deployed five fire tenders to combat the blaze, with rigorous firefighting efforts underway to contain and prevent the fire from spreading further. The first appliance from the Regional Headquarters arrived at the scene at 6:15 am, followed by three additional fire engines and a turntable ladder from nearby stations.

This incident comes just months after a fire destroyed some shops at the Kejetia Market in January. The fire service managed to salvage 23 out of 25 shops, preventing the fire from spreading further. Kejetia has experienced major fires in the past, including a massive blaze that destroyed parts of the market in March 2023.