Fire has gutted some shops at the Makola market in Accra with general goods for sale up in flames on Christmas day.

The fire is said to have started around 10:30 am and it took personnel from the Fire Service several hours to quench it.

It is unclear yet what may have caused the fire. Eyewitnesses who were looking forward to an exciting Christmas sales have been left shattered.

They told Joy News’ Nancy Emefa Dzradosi, they saw a thick cloud of smoke billowing from one of the shops upstairs and they had to call the fire service.

One of the witnesses said it took about 40 minutes before the personnel from the Fire Service who was stationed just right within the market to come to their aid.

Some of the salvaged items

Another claimed he had to personally ride an okada to the offices of the Fire Service before they were able to respond.

On arrival it took several hours before they kept the fire under control. The billowing smoke had given way to a full ravaging fire.

“We saw smoke coming out and we had to help ourselves by picking some of our things out of the shop. We are running at a big loss,” one of the eyewitnesses said.

Fridges, fans, air-condition and other home appliances have been burnt to ashes.  The victims say they are counting their losses.

The fire service personnel are yet to determine the cause of the fire.