Traders at Kumasi’s Race Course market are grappling with substantial losses following a destructive fire that engulfed the market in the early hours of Monday morning.

Approximately 60 stalls, along with properties and food items valued at thousands of cedis, fell victim to the flames, necessitating the intervention of four fire tenders to quell the inferno. While efforts are underway to ascertain the cause of the fire, fire officers are diligently working to salvage debris from the incident.

Affected traders are now attempting to salvage whatever remains of their possessions after the fire ravaged the market. The extensive damage includes the complete destruction of clothes, animal proteins, and various food commodities, including local spices.

The regional fire office received a distress call from the National office about the fire, prompting a swift response to the market. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Henry Giwah, in an interview with journalists, advised traders and households in the region to take precautionary measures, especially as the harmattan season unfolds.

It’s worth noting that the Race Course market serves as a temporary settlement for traders relocated from the old Kejetia market. In the aftermath of this devastating fire, traders are urging the speedy completion of the stalled New Kejetia Redevelopment Market.

This unfortunate incident marks the second fire to impact Ghana’s second-largest city in just two weeks, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and support for affected communities.