The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has addressed criticisms regarding its response to the devastating fire that swept through the Kantamanto market, destroying over 100 shops.
According to ADO1 Alex King Nartey, the GNFS prioritized protecting nearby structures to prevent the fire from spreading further, as much of the market had already been consumed.
“Per our evaluation, the fire has destroyed over a hundred stores because many of them were closely situated by each other. So, once the fire catches one, the spread becomes easier. But the good thing is that the salvage is much more than the damage. Because, looking at the other buildings, we have been able to salvage them from the fire,” he explained.
The GNFS clarified that the rapid spread of the flames was due to the close proximity of the shops, which made it easier for the fire to engulf the area.
However, vendors criticized the firefighters for allegedly prioritizing nearby unaffected structures instead of dousing the flames in the burning market.
Addressing these concerns, ADO1 Alex King Nartey emphasized that the decision to focus on surrounding structures was strategic.
“It has been a daunting task, especially considering the fact that there isn’t any working fire hydrant here. It was a big problem for us. We had to travel to Frisco or GRA to go and replenish. In the early hours, it was so much of a problem, but when it was morning and the whole place became congested, it became a bigger problem,” he noted.
The GNFS’s efforts were aimed at minimizing overall damage and ensuring that nearby buildings were safeguarded, despite the challenges posed by inadequate infrastructure and congestion at the scene.
 has addressed criticisms regarding its response to the devastating fire that swept through the Kantamanto market, destroying over 100 shops.){kind=link}