The Timber Market in Tamale has been devastated by a raging fire, marking the latest in a series of destructive infernos to hit major commercial hubs in Ghana.
The incident, which occurred late Tuesday night, has left several traders in distress as their livelihoods were reduced to ashes.
This tragedy follows similar fires at the Kantamanto Market in Accra and Kwadaso Wood Market in Kumasi, raising questions about fire safety measures in the country.
Despite the swift response from the Ghana National Fire Service, the flames engulfed a significant portion of the market before being brought under control.
Firefighters cited challenges accessing water and navigating the congested market area as significant obstacles in their efforts to contain the blaze.
It is not clear what started the fire yet. Preliminary investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.
The Tamale fire comes on the heels of similar incidents in Kantamanto Market in Accra and Kwadaso Wood Market in Kumasi, both occurring within the past week.
In Kantamanto, hundreds of traders lost their goods in a fire that gutted a large section of the market. A similar tragedy struck Kumasi, leaving scores of traders counting their losses.
While the exact causes of these fires remain under investigation, authorities suspect electrical faults, poor wiring, and the storage of flammable materials as possible contributors.
The string of market fires has had a devastating impact on traders and the local economy. Many traders in Tamale, like their counterparts in Accra and Kumasi, operate without insurance, leaving them with no safety net to rebuild their businesses.
The loss also extends beyond individual traders, with ripple effects on employment and the supply chain of goods.
The Timber Market 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, and improved market infrastructure with better wiring and fire-resistant materials.
