The Public Relations Department of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has revealed that firefighters could not locate fire hydrants at Kantamanto in Accra to facilitate extinguishing the fire that engulfed the popular commercial centre.

Traders at the popular Kantamanto Market in Accra are left to pick up the pieces of their wares after a devastating fire ravaged over 100 shops. The blaze, which began at dawn on Thursday, January 2, 2025, engulfed large sections of the market.

During an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen Show on Thursday, January 2, the PRO for the GNFS, Alex King Nartey, explained that a fire hydrant is a connection to a water source, typically a municipal water supply, and is used by firefighters to access water quickly in the event of a fire.

He further claimed that there are no fire hydrants located in the vicinity. Therefore, his team was compelled to go to a nearby town to fill their fire tenders.

“Prior to our visit to the place, we weren’t able to locate our hydrants in the area. We had to go to Farisco to fill our trucks,” he asserted.

Alex King Nartey added that there used to be some hydrants in the area, but due to the uncontrolled settlement of residents, they can no longer be found. He called on the various assemblies to pay more attention to the markets in the communities.

“Instead of the assemblies making sure residents don’t build close to hydrants or put up shops near them to hinder access, they don’t, so far as the assembly gives them the go-ahead and grants them permits,” he said.

He also emphasized that it is the responsibility of the assembly to construct service stations for the various communities and urged community leaders to help.

“When it comes to the construction of a service station, it is the responsibility of the assembly to do so. In other cases, some traditional leaders come together to voluntarily help in providing one for their communities,” he noted.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) assures that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the inferno.

Read also: Fire destroys Kantamanto Market, displaces hundreds of traders