Techiman, Bono East Region – A massive fire has broken out at the Sunyani Station area of the Techiman market on the 12th of January 2025 around 9:45pm, leaving devastation in its wake. The inferno, which started in the early hours of the day, has proven unstoppable, with firefighters struggling to contain the raging flames.
According to preliminary reports, approximately 700 stores have been burnt, resulting in the loss of goods worth millions of Ghana cedis. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as traders rushed to salvage whatever they could from their stalls, while the fire spread rapidly through the market.. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but authorities have initiated an investigation. Eyewitness accounts suggest that electrical faults could be a potential factor, though arson has not been ruled out.
Emergency response teams, including the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), lead by ADO I TAKYI GABRIEL, worked tirelessly to bring the blaze under control around 12:45am Monday morning. However, the densely packed nature of the market and the lack of fire safety infrastructure have significantly hampered their efforts. According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), led by ADO I Takyi Gabriel, “Many of the shops are constructed with wood, and some contain highly flammable materials, which made it extremely challenging for us to bring the fire under control in a timely manner.”
One of the affected traders from Nigeria, visibly shaken, shared her ordeal: “I’ve lost everything. My entire shop and all my goods are gone. This is a nightmare.”
The incident has drawn widespread attention, with local leaders and residents calling for enhanced safety measures to prevent future tragedies of this nature.
Authorities are urging all affected individuals to report their losses to the local assembly for support and further assistance. Relief efforts are expected to be organized to aid the affected traders and families.
Updates will follow as more information becomes available. (www.autvonline.com)
