Smoldering fire have engulfed the Kumasi High court Wednesday destroying vital court documents.

According to eye witnesses, smoke was detected in the roof of the building at about 9am. There is a theory that a faulty air-condition sparked the blaze but this is yet to be confirmed by Fire Service officials.

The chambers of two High court judges and one circuit court judge were particularly hit by the fire.

All six courts hearings were suspended immediately and a judge had to be smuggled through the backdoor to escape the flames, Ashanti regional correspondent Erastus Asare Donkor reported.

The judge lamented the loss of case files, dockets, record of proceedings and resigned himself to depending on lawyers to assemble case documents.

The judge said several cases are likely to be suspended following the fire outbreak.

Fire-fight personnel are battling the flames and court officials have been evacuated from the building.

More soon