For the second time in two weeks, a devastating fire has destroyed Kumasi’s Kwadaso Wood Market, which is well-known for its thriving timber and wood product trade.
On the evening of Sunday, January 19, the most recent fire broke out, leaving a path of devastation in its wake and making matters worse for traders who were still getting over the prior fire.
Witnesses and video from the scene describe a heartbreaking and chaotic night as flames consumed everything in their path as they destroyed many kiosks and shops.
Desperate traders are seen in the video frantically trying to protect their goods from the spreading fire while also yelling for help.
The extremely flammable items that were common in the market, including wood, sawdust, and chemicals used in timber processing, caused the fire, which started for unknown reasons, to spread quickly.
Despite the fact that emergency services were notified, firefighters found it difficult to contain the fire due to its extreme intensity.
Only two weeks have passed since the same market was devastated by another fire on Saturday, January 4.
Many parts of the market were burned in that first fire, leaving vendors devastated by the loss of supplies, equipment, and buildings necessary for their livelihoods.
Following the January 4 incident, market managers and city officials had started talking about putting safety measures in place, such as installing fire hydrants, conducting routine safety checks, and constructing fire breaks inside the market.
But when the second fire occurred, these precautions were still being planned, which highlighted how urgent it is to take action to stop other tragedies.
