A fire outbreak on Thursday morning at Akwatialine in Kumasi of the Ashanti Region has destroyed several properties belonging to wood dealers.

According to reports reaching JoyNews, about 50 shops have been destroyed.

The Ghana Fire Service were at the scene to prevent the further spread of the fire. But residents say the Fire Service did not intervene timely to douse the fire.

"We called the Fire Service, and for almost two hours, no one came here. Finally, they came with an empty car and left with the excuse that they were going for water," one said.

"We called and they (Fire Service) said they will not come because we live in kiosks. We fetched water in our buckets in an attempt to put out the fire," another stated.

But speaking to NhyiraNews, Manhyia Divisional Police Commander, ACP Kwaku Buah said the fire tenders could not access the fire's base.

"The fire tender has been here for over an hour but cannot have access to the firebase, where the fire started. Why don't you blame the one who started the fire because I know people have been educated that around this time, you don't set fire to anything.

The best they can do is use the tube to get to the place. This place is too congested for even pragyia (a tricycle) to go through. This is wood on fire. You salvage it and bring it to where there is no fire, fire starts there. That is what is happening," he said.

According to AdomNews correspondent, Malik Awuku, three fire tenders were being used to douse the fire.

The cause of the fire is yet to be established but residents have alleged that the burning of wood waste in the area caused the fire.