Firefighters Resort to Water Buckets in Koforidua Market Fire as Pump Malfunctions

Firefighters in Koforidua faced a challenging task on Sunday, April 7, 2024, as they battled a blaze at the Koforidua Central Market using buckets of water after the pump malfunctioned.

The fire, which broke out around 5:50 pm, prompted a swift response from the Eastern Regional Sub-Station of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).

Upon arrival at 6:10 pm, firefighters encountered difficulty when the pump failed to engage, hampering their efforts to extinguish the flames.

With the fire spreading rapidly, firefighters had to rely on assistance from local residents, who provided buckets of water to combat the inferno.

Believed to have started from an electrical fault, the fire engulfed four shops within the market, destroying two completely and partially damaging two others.

Despite the intensity of the blaze, the collaborative efforts of firefighters and community members managed to bring the fire under control and prevent further devastation.

Although several adjacent shops were spared from destruction, the fire caused significant damage to the affected premises.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries resulting from the incident.

Officials from the GNFS stated, “The fire, suspected to stem from an electrical fault, engulfed four (4) shops, completely destroying two (2) and partially damaging two (2) others.

Items destroyed included plastic cups, bowls and spoons, takeaway packs, toilet rolls, and polytene bags.”

The Koforidua Central Market, the largest in the Regional capital, remains in a deplorable condition, leaving it vulnerable to fire outbreaks.

Despite promises of reconstruction by the Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben in 2021, no progress has been made, leaving traders in the market with uncertainty.