A devastating fire engulfed the Techiman Central Market on Sunday night, reducing over 100 stalls to ashes and leaving traders in despair.
The blaze, which began around 9:15 PM, destroyed goods worth millions of cedis as firefighters struggled to control the rapidly spreading flames.
Eyewitnesses voiced their frustration over the lack of adequate firefighting resources, which they believe worsened the destruction. “I don’t understand how a major metropolitan area like Techiman has only one fire tender. If we had more, this could have been contained earlier,” lamented an aggrieved trader.
Another trader, who lost her entire inventory, tearfully pleaded for assistance: “Everything I bought with a bank loan is gone. How will I survive now?”
Bono East Regional Fire Commander, ACFO II Naomi Ofori Adubea Sarpong, confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire. She noted that the market’s congested layout posed significant challenges for firefighters.
“In total, six fire tenders, including those from Nkoranza, Kintampo, and Wenchi, were deployed to contain the blaze,” ACFO II Sarpong explained. She also urged the public to stay vigilant during the dry season and take preventive measures against fires.
The tragedy has left many traders devastated, counting their losses, and calling for urgent intervention to rebuild their livelihoods.
