Kumasi Mayor, Kojo Bonsu has warned slum dwellers in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti Region to desist from illegal electricity connections.
His warning comes after yet another fire outbreak gutted over 200 wooden structures at Santasi roundabout leaving one person in critical condition and over 1000 inhabitants displaced.
The fire, according to the victims started at about 12:15 am on Saturday.
Although fire officers have not made an official pronouncement on the cause of the fire, some of the victims are ruling out candle lit.
The victims had all their belongings burnt to ashes.
Luck however escaped a 22-year old Washing Bay attendant who sustained multiple degrees of injuries during the incident.
Yaw Adibawine narrating his ordeal said “I was deep asleep when my brother rushed in to tell me there was fire. So before I could move out, I was stuck and the fire burnt my hands, my legs and neck. I feel severe pains now”.
He has since been discharged from the Matter Dei hospital at Santasi.
The fire also burnt the medication of Four-year Old Abdul-Salam who is battling with an eye problem.
According to his father, Atambila “I was asleep with my family when our neighbors called to alert us on the fire outbreak. So I had to bring out my son. The heat from the fire has caused his eye to swell and his medication we brought from the hospital to treat his eye problem has also been burnt”.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has presented mattresses and other relief items to the victims.
Presenting the items, Mr Bonsu consoled the victims for the lost and warned the slum dwellers to desist from illegal electricity connections.
The Mayor who was unhappy with the extent of damage at the place, also provided personal financial assistance to the four-year old and the Washing Bay attendant for their medical upkeep.
The KMA has also erected makeshift tents for the victims to stay temporary.
Fire destroyed about 200 similar structures of some kayeyes at Dagomba Line recently.
