Fire Service Warns Against Immediate Rebuilding of Kantamanto
The Greater Accra Regional Fire Service has cautioned victims of the recent Kantamanto Market fire against immediately reconstructing their shops without professional advice. Thousands of shops were destroyed in the devastating blaze, leaving traders eager to rebuild.
At a press conference, ACFO II Rashid Nisawu, Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, stressed the importance of fire safety measures to prevent future incidents. “If they reconstruct without consulting for fire precautions, they risk facing the same disaster,” he said. Nisawu recommended standardized structures and proper building materials for the market’s reconstruction.
The commander also dismissed allegations from some victims claiming that fire officers poured petrol at the fire scene, escalating the blaze. “Why on earth would anyone pour petrol into a fire? That’s an unfortunate and baseless claim,” Nisawu stated, emphasizing the professionalism of his team in handling the situation.
The Fire Service reiterated the need for collaboration between authorities and market operators to ensure a safer marketplace. Victims were encouraged to prioritize fire prevention measures before proceeding with rebuilding efforts.
The warning comes as the market community grapples with recovery from the tragedy, highlighting the critical need for proactive fire safety practices in commercial spaces.