The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has attributed Saturday’s devastating fire at the Accra Timber Market to a rubbish fire that was left unattended.

According to the Greater Accra Regional Fire Commander, ACFO II Rashid Kwame Nisawu, plain-clothed officers deployed during the firefighting operation uncovered that a man had set fire to a heap of rubbish near the market before going to sleep.

“During such operations, we deploy plain-clothed officers to gather information. What we established was that an individual collected rubbish, set it alight and went to sleep. The blaze then spread, leading to the destruction we have witnessed,” ACFO Nisawu explained in an interview with Channel One Newsroom.

He confirmed that the suspect has since been arrested in connection with the incident.

The inferno, which broke out around 1:17 a.m. on 13 September, destroyed several timber and hardware shops before it was finally brought under control at 11:44 a.m.

Seven fire engines, supported by water tankers from the GNFS and municipal assemblies, were mobilised to contain the flames.

Two firefighters sustained injuries — one from an electric shock and another with burns to the arm. Both have been treated and discharged.

Fortunately, nearby facilities, including the Aayalolo cluster of schools, were spared from the destruction.