JULIET METTLE-EDMONDS
An inferno in Odumasi, near Konongo, in the Asante Akyem Central Municipality, of the Ashanti Region has claimed three lives and left several others injured, including five firefighters.
The inferno began in a shop handling explosive materials for mining activities.
Preliminary investigations by the Ghana National Fire Service suggest that the fire started at a shop in a galamsey-prone area, which was storing and selling explosive materials and equipment commonly used by illegal miners.
The GNFS says while combating the blaze, a number of explosions erupted from the shops storing explosives, resulting in injuries to five firefighters and damage to their fire tender. Additionally, several other individuals were severely injured,resulting in three deaths, with some suffering dismemberment.
The inferno damaged 30 buildings and 8 shops. Despite efforts by the firefighters to contain the blaze, their operations were severely hindered by attacks from some residents, which caused further damage on the already damaged fire tender, the only tender serving residents in Konongo and surrounding areas.
The Service is therefore appealing to the public to stop attacking firefighters. The injured are currently receiving medical attention at the Asante Akim Central Government Hospital, while the Ghana National Fire Service continue to investigate the cause of the devastating blaze.
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