Mr. Ernest Abankroh, Country Manager of AngloGold Ashanti, has denied rumours that about five hundred miners were trapped underground when fire broke out at the company's Engineering department. The Thursday fire destroyed as conveyor belt at the company's Engineering department, however a full damage assessment is yet to be conducted. Mr. Abankroh told Joy News that attempted cable theft was responsible for the fire. He said the thieves had attempted to steal the cables from the engineering department, which action led to the fire outbreak that has been battled by the company's firemen. Initial reports suggested about 500 miners were trapped underground as a result of the fire and a subsequent power outage.