Some traders in Adum, Kumasi, are blaming frequent power cuts for the recent fire outbreak in the central business district, suggesting that the ongoing power issues may have contributed to the blaze.
The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Friday, March 21, destroyed several shops housed in two-storey buildings in the busy commercial area.
The fire at the popular Blue Light arena, near Hello FM, started around 6 am and spread quickly as firefighters struggled to contain it.
While the Ghana National Fire Service is still investigating the exact cause of the fire, traders believe the recurrent power outages in the area could have played a role in igniting the flames.
According to the traders, the frequent power cuts have damaged their appliances. Several shop owners reported issues with their electrical equipment due to the unstable power supply in the area.
“You don’t have any mercy on the youth at all. We have been experiencing power cuts for weeks, and every time the electricity comes back, the power surge causes some of our appliances to malfunction,” said one local shopkeeper.
An eyewitness claimed that the fire started from a flickering electricity pole in the area, which led to a spark on the top floor of one of the buildings.
ALSO READ: