A late-night fire has destroyed several homes and shops at Assin Asempanaye in the Assin North District of the Central Region, leaving more than 20 residents displaced and traders counting heavy losses.
The fire started around 10:30 pm on Thursday and swept through five metal container shops and a five-bedroom house that sheltered about 20 occupants. Victims say they lost nearly GH¢50,000 in cash, along with merchandise running into thousands of cedis.
Eyewitnesses say the blaze began in one of the shops and quickly spread to nearby structures. Many residents were asleep and escaped only after passersby raised the alarm.
Residents tried to save their belongings but the fire moved too fast, destroying almost everything before emergency services arrived.
Several victims blamed the extent of the damage on what they described as a delayed response from fire personnel, claiming repeated calls to the Assin Fosu and New Edubiase Fire Stations went unanswered.
Assin Fosu Municipal Fire Officer, DOII Paul Tawiah, said preliminary investigations suggest that power fluctuations may have caused the fire. His team has visited the scene to assess the destruction.
Responding to public concerns, DOII Tawiah revealed that the municipality’s only fire tender has been out of service for months due to engine failure. He called on government and stakeholders to help repair the vehicle and improve emergency response capacity.
The Assin North District Chief Executive, Hon. Sylvester Amakye Nyarkoh, visited the affected families with officials from NADMO. He expressed sympathy and assured residents that they will receive emergency relief support.
Story by Doe Benjamin Kofi Lawson