Scenes at Kejetia after the fire
Trading In Full Swing At Kejetia Market Despite Friday’s Fire Outbreak.
Business activities are in full swing at the Kejetia market despite two shops catching fire in the market arena last week.
The unfortunate situation last Friday brought trading to a momentary halt but during a visit to the market today business was in full swing.
As at 7am today, the traders as well as buyers and shoppers were carrying out their daily routines and activities.
Strikingly too, the market authorities had cordoned off the area which got burnt since the incident is still under investigations.
Traders Association Chairman:
Speaking to this reporter, Nana Akwasi Prempeh, President of the Federation of Kumasi Traders-Kejetia said the traders started work over the weekend.
He noted that the officers of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) acted promptly to douse the fire that broke out in the market last week.
Nana Prempeh said fire affected two shops largely but recalled that the swift attitude of staff of the Market and officers averted the spread of the same.
‘’I hugely commend the swift and excellent attitude of the officers from the Ghana National Fire Service whose intervention spared us from having a widespread outbreak of fire in this market’’, the Federation President stated.
Arson:
Meanwhile, there is suspicion that last week’s fire outbreak was deliberately caused by a trader at the market arena.
A source close to the market management said an alleged shop attendant lit fire in a shop she currently oversees inside the arena.
At 5:16 am last Friday, the alleged attendant sneaked into the market and to her place of work and lit fire in the shop and ran out without anyone noticing.
The source said investigations are ongoing with the Kejetia Police in charge and at the time of filing this report the alleged arsonist had been questioned by the Police.
Fears:
In a related development, Nana Akwasi Prempeh has expressed worry at the capacity of the Management of the Market to deal with any serious fire outbreak in the Kejetia market.
He noted that recommendations from the committee that investigated the fire outbreak at the arena are yet to be followed through by the market management.
The committee among others, indicated that the market did not have a fit for purpose fire detecting and dousingg water systems.
This issue, Nana Prempeh says constantly sends shivers down the spines of traders and shoppers not knowing their fate in case of an eventuality.
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