The gutted shops

The timely intervention by the Ghana Fire Service at Aflao in the Ketu South District of the Volta Region saved Aflao’s timber market from being completely decimated.

Fortunately for the hundreds of traders at the market only three shops were affected.

The owners of the shops have been counting their losses since the incident happened last Thursday morning.

Shocked residents and eyewitnesses said they are not sure what might have led to the cause of the fire.

“Everything got burnt in the shop (first Shop) were all tailoring materials, such as zips, linings, jewellery, clothes, polyester, some cotton clothing and other things that tailors use for designing all got burnt in it.”

Since the shops were three in a row, the second shop was also gutted.  “The third shop is for a mobile money vendor and they sell hair there as well… Just few of the items got burnt before the fire service came,” the witness said.

One of the affected shop owners, Madam Evelyn Avorkah refused to speak to the press as she was still in shock. She burst into tears as she struggled to come to terms with the incident.

The Municipal Fire Commander, Stanley Nusetor said his outfit is investigating the cause of the fire. He however commended the residents for their promptness in calling the firefighters and cooperation.