Fire engulfs Tamale Timber Market just days after the Kantamanto fire incident.

Another fire outbreak has swept through the Tamale Timber Market, coming less than a week after the devastating blaze at Kantamanto Market.

The inferno, which erupted late Tuesday night, has left traders devastated as it destroyed large sections of the market, wiping out businesses and livelihoods. This incident is part of a troubling pattern, as several major commercial areas in Ghana have recently suffered similar fires.

Just last week, Kantamanto Market in Accra and the Kwadaso Wood Market in Kumasi were also ravaged by fires, sparking concerns about fire safety across the country. Many Ghanaians are now questioning why these market fires are occurring so frequently.

Firefighters from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded swiftly to the Tamale blaze, but the fire had already spread extensively before it could be contained. Their efforts were hampered by challenges such as limited access to water and the congested layout of the market.

The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, affected traders are left grappling with the devastation and searching for ways to prevent such disasters in the future.

Alarming Pattern

The Tamale Timber Market fire is the latest in a string of market blazes that have wreaked havoc in Ghana over the past week. With many businesses in ruins and livelihoods lost, calls for stronger fire prevention measures and improved safety regulations in the country’s markets are growing louder.

During his final State of the Nation Address, Ghana’s outgoing president, Nana Akufo-Addo, reassured traders affected by the Kantamanto Market fire on January 2, 2024, that the government would provide support to help them recover from their losses.