A pregnant woman has been left homeless after a fire destroyed four container shops and two rooms at Atasemanso in Kumasi, leaving traders and residents counting their losses.
The blaze occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, October 13, 2026, destroying merchandise and personal belongings estimated to be worth millions of cedis. Several bales of second-hand clothing were among the items lost.
Preliminary investigations suggest that a gas cylinder explosion may have triggered the fire, although the cause has not been conclusively established.
The Assembly Member for Atasemanso, Abdul Samid, confirmed that one woman sustained injuries and was taken to Atasemanso Hospital for treatment.
The incident has also left a pregnant resident and her family without accommodation after their room and belongings were destroyed. The woman appealed for assistance, saying she had nowhere to sleep after losing her possessions in the blaze.
Traders affected by the fire now face the challenge of rebuilding their businesses after losing merchandise and other investments.
According to the assembly member, the swift response of personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service prevented the flames from spreading to nearby houses, limiting further damage.
Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service says it will intensify monitoring of markets and other fire-prone locations. The exercise is expected to include patrols during both daytime and nighttime to improve surveillance and encourage compliance with fire safety requirements.
