Kumasi: A recent fire outbreak at Adum market in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, has been attributed to erratic power supply, commonly known as ‘dumsor,’ by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus in Parliament. The fire, which occurred on Friday, March 21, ravaged several shops and property, leaving nine people injured and causing extensive damage.

According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Kofi Obiri Yeboah, NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for Subin, addressed the issue on the floor of Parliament, urging the government to urgently resolve the ongoing power crisis. He also called on international organizations to assist affected traders. Mr. Yeboah stated that interactions with traders and eyewitnesses revealed that the fire was allegedly triggered by dumsor. Power had been out, and the moment electricity was restored, it sparked and triggered the fire.

Mr. Yeboah’s statement highlighted the challenges faced by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in responding to the incident. Reports indicated that the Fire Service was handicapped in their attempt to salvage the situation due to non-existent fire hydrants at nearby stations and major logistical constraints. The congested nature of the market, coupled with the lack of modern firefighting infrastructure, worsened the situation, making it almost impossible for firefighters to contain the blaze.

However, Mr. Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the Majority Chief Whip, cautioned against jumping to conclusions, emphasising the need for a thorough investigation to determine the actual cause of the fire. He stressed the importance of relying on facts and warned against speculative claims that could lead to unnecessary chaos. The focus, he noted, should be on providing relief to the affected traders.

Authorities have yet to officially confirm the cause of the fire, but investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, traders and business owners in the affected area continue to count their losses, calling for immediate government intervention to prevent future occurrences.