A devastating fire has engulfed two-storey buildings housing numerous shops in the central business district of Adum in Kumasi.

The blaze, which broke out at the well-known Blue Light arena near Hello FM, started at approximately 6:00 am and spread rapidly as firefighters struggled to bring it under control.

Panic-stricken traders were forced to break into their locked shops to salvage their goods as the fire raged.

Many of the affected businesses specialise in phone accessories, mobile phones, jewellery, and clothing, with traders desperately attempting to rescue their merchandise before the flames consumed their properties.

Eyewitnesses reported that the fire originated from a flickering electricity pole in the vicinity, which caused a spark on the top floor of one of the buildings.

The inferno quickly spread, engulfing adjacent structures and causing extensive damage to businesses in the area.

The Programmes Director at Hello FM, Nana Ama Ataffuah Quainoo, confirmed that staff at the radio station were evacuated as the fire intensified.

However, she expressed concern over the delayed response from the fire service, noting that the prolonged wait may have contributed to the extensive damage.

Multiple fire tenders eventually arrived at the scene, but firefighters encountered significant challenges in containing the blaze.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, while affected traders count their losses in what is one of the most severe fire incidents in the area in recent times.