A spark from a welding machine on Sunday morning, December 3, 2017 caused a fire outbreak which destroyed two shops at the Tamale Central Market.
The cost of the destruction was said to run into thousands of Ghana cedis. No casualties have so far been recorded.
One of the shop owners, who could not bear to see the damage to her shop, collapsed at the scene and was rushed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH).
The Northern Regional Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Mr Paul Opoku Aikins, told journalists that the fire started between 8.30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
He said it took two fire engines to completely put out the fire that engulfed the shops.
The officer added that the fire did not spread to the adjoining shops.
Mr Aikins stated that a spark from a welder working on one of the gates of the two shops started the fire.
He mentioned that even though one of the welders claimed to have noticed smoke emanating from the shop, they could not do anything about it because it was locked.
“Initially, a fire appliance was sent to the scene from the Metro Fire Command after the distress call, but we had to call in another one from the regional command before we could put out the fire due to its intensity,” the officer explained.
Mr Aikins said the welding machine used by the welders is in the custody of the executives of the market.
Story: News Desk