The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has ordered the immediate closure and evacuation of the Food Market and surrounding trading areas at the Albert Bosomtwi-Sam Fishing Harbour in Sekondi following a devastating fire at a premix fuel dump.
The directive comes after Sunday’s inferno, which destroyed several properties and exposed serious safety risks within the harbour.
According to the Fire Safety Officer at the harbour, DCFO Jimmy Nab Daisie, the incident began around 3:30 p.m. when heavy rainfall triggered a mudslide that caused vegetation and part of a hillside near the premix fuel depot to collapse. The force of the runoff brought down an electricity pole, which landed between fuel storage tanks and ignited a fire.
The flames spread rapidly from one fuel tank to another, engulfing nearby structures. Makeshift stalls, handcarts and two vehicles were completely destroyed in the blaze.
Firefighters from the Ghana National Fire Service, the Port of Takoradi and the Ghana Air Force, supported by local fisherfolk, battled the flames for several hours before bringing the situation under control.
On Monday morning, Mr. Nelson, together with the Omanhene of Essikado, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, and officials from the Port of Takoradi, visited the site to assess the damage.
The inspection revealed that, beyond the fire, unstable slopes and weakened vegetation overlooking parts of the harbour remain a major threat and could trigger further collapses if left unattended.
As a precaution, the Minister directed that all trading activities at the Food Market and adjoining areas stop immediately, with traders ordered to vacate the affected zone until it is declared safe.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Port of Takoradi, Captain James Richard Quayson, revealed that port authorities have repeatedly tried to relocate premix fuel operations away from active sections of the fishing harbour, but those efforts have so far been unsuccessful.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
