KEY POINTS
- Firefighters battled for 48 hours to extinguish the devastating blaze in Kumasi.
- Ashanti Regional Minister’s remarks sparked public controversy during the firefighting efforts.
- Fire chief condemns attacks on responders, calls for greater public support.
Firefighters in Kumasi successfully extinguished a raging fire in the Adum area after an exhausting 48-hour battle.
The fire, which devastated parts of the district, destroyed shops and businesses, leaving many traders to assess the damage.
The efforts to control the blaze were led by the Ashanti Regional Fire Command, who faced intense heat and structural difficulties during the operation.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) commended the dedication of the firefighters, acknowledging their relentless commitment to bringing the situation under control.
“Well done Ashanti Regional Fire Command. You have done what Napoleon couldn’t do,” a statement from GNFS praised, highlighting their tireless work.
The battle faced challenges and public criticism
Through their efforts to battle the fire, the firefighters confronted several obstacles.
The firefighting effort needed to stop briefly for excavators to prepare access points before implementing a more effective firefighting technique.
However, comments from Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, at the scene caused controversy.
A viral video captured the minister instructing firefighters to move their engines if they insisted on having a standby tanker supply water, leading to some public backlash.
In response, Ashanti Regional Fire Commander ACFO II Peter Tetteh criticized the remarks, calling them “unfair and unfortunate.”
He explained that the firefighters had been working around the clock without rest and felt demoralized by the comments.
“We should be commended; we have done so well and should be motivated to keep working,” Tetteh emphasized.
Fire chief condemns attacks on firefighters, urges public support
In addition to operational challenges, Acting Chief Fire Officer Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong strongly condemned the attacks on firefighters at the scene.
According to Graphic Online, she assured that investigations were underway to identify those responsible for obstructing emergency responders.
Sapong emphasized that public support for fire safety depends on recognizing firefighter obstacles to avoid similar incidents.
She reassured the public that the injured firefighters and the civilian would get complete medical assistance.
Authorities warn people to maintain distance from compromised buildings in the affected area because potential structural instability makes their condition unpredictable.
ACFO II Tetteh also called for swift implementation of the upcoming fire incident report recommendations to prevent similar disasters in the future.
