The High Court in Accra has adjourned hearing of the Anyaa warehouse fire explosion that claimed seven lives in November to December 17. Ms Janet Akani Sarbah, the accused and owner of the warehouse is on trial for illegal importation of fire crackers. The case was adjourned due to the absence of the prosecutor. The accused is on a GH¢100,000 bail. Residents of the vicinity were thrown into a state of anguish when the warehouse torched and exploded into flames, claiming lives, injuring others and destroying property. The incident assumed a political twist with the opposition NDC raising suspicions of ammunition and illegal stocks of arms in the warehouse and dismissed police earlier claims the blasted substance were fire crackers. A six member committee set up by the police to investigate the content of the warehouse and the cause of the explosion insists fire crackers filled with some gun powder were loaded in the warehouse. Even though the actual cause of the explosion could not be ascertained, the committee ruled out arson or sabotage. They however cited poor ventilation and exposure to naked fire as possible causes of the explosion. Speaking with Joy News, the Acting Director of the Police Public Affairs, DCOP Kwesi Ofori said more education is needed to prevent the public from importing fire crackers. He warned the police are embarking on a vigorous search for banned “Christmas paraphernalia” and perpetrators would be arrested and prosecuted. Listen to excerpts of the interview with DCOP Kwesi Ofori in the attached audio. Story by Nathan Gadugah