A massive fire broke out at the Ashaiman Scrapyard near China Mall on Monday, December 30, destroying 17 containers. Business owners are now assessing their losses after the blaze, which was contained by a joint firefighting team from Tema and Ashaiman.

The Tema Regional Fire Service's Public Relations Officer, DO III Ebenezer Yenzu, said investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the fire. "At around 12 p.m, we received an emergency call about the fire at the Ashaiman Scrapyard," Mr Yenzu said. "Upon arrival, the fire was already raging, so we had to call for reinforcement. The officer in charge mobilized six additional fire engines to bring the situation under control."

The inferno, fuelled by scraps such as wires, metals, and transformers, took close to an hour to subdue. Mr Yenzu explained that the fire team worked swiftly to contain the flames and minimize the damage. "Considering the situation, it took us close to an hour to control the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjoining structures," he said. "Fortunately, there were no casualties."

Despite the devastation, the swift response of the firefighters saved over 200 containers, averting a greater disaster. Mr Yenzu commended the efforts of the team and noted their focus on mitigating further risks.

As investigations continue, Mr Yenzu urged scrapyard operators and the public to exercise caution during this harmattan season. "We advise scrap dealers and the entire public to be careful when dealing with flammable items," he warned.