A fire outbreak has gutted several shops at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, popularly known as Circle, in Accra, according to reports.
The incident, which occurred on the evening of Thursday, January 2, sent thick plumes of black smoke into the sky, visible from several parts of the city.
Firefighters from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) swiftly responded to the distress call and managed to bring the blaze under control. Fire personnel arrived at the scene with four fire engines, which were strategically positioned to prevent the fire from spreading further.
The affected shops are reported to be mainly involved in the sale of electronic items and clothing. Eyewitnesses said the fire spread rapidly due to the highly combustible nature of the goods stored in the shops, compounded by strong winds.
“We just saw smoke coming from one of the containers, and within minutes, the whole line was on fire,” a distressed trader recounted. “The wind made it worse, and before we knew it, the fire had caught up with the next building.”
The cause of the fire is yet to be established, as investigations are expected to commence.
Meanwhile, GNFS officers have cautioned members of the public to stay away from the affected area to avoid possible injuries or fatalities, particularly from structures that may have been weakened and could collapse
