The Timber Market in Tamale, the Northern region capital, has been destroyed by fire, making it the third in a series of fire outbreaks that have major commercial hubs in the country.
The late Monday night, January 06, 2025, fire has left scores of traders in distress with their livelihoods reduced to ashes.
This incident follows similar ones at the Kantamanto Market in Accra and Kwadaso Wood Market in Kumasi, destroying several hundreds of shops and properties in the process.
This has raised questions over fire safety measures in the country following the three places that have been ravaged by inferno in a space of five days.
Although members of the Ghana National Fire Service were swift to respond to the fire, the flames engulfed a significant portion of the market before being brought under control.
Among the major obstacles faced by firefighters was their inability to access water and navigate the congested market area to douse the flames.
The cause of the fire has not been determined yet as preliminary investigations have began to ascertain so.
The Timber Market in Tamale serves as a key hub for construction materials in northern Ghana, and its destruction could lead to shortages and price hikes.
The recent spate of market fires has sparked a national conversation about fire safety and disaster preparedness in Ghana’s commercial centres.
Traders and civil society groups are calling for urgent action, including regular fire safety audits in markets, installation of fire hydrants and other firefighting equipment, as well as improved market infrastructure with better wiring and fire-resistant materials.
