2013 in review — Fire here, fire there

In a few days, we shall be saying farewell to the year 2013. The year came with remarkable and unfortunate incidents. But for many, the various fire disasters that engulfed our nation would forever remain on their minds.

We revisit some fire disasters that occurred across the nation.

Old Parliament House in flames

Fire gutted sections of the old Parliament House, destroying several property and vital documents.

The old Parliament House accommodates the Head office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Economic and Organised Crime office (EOCO) and the Judgement Debt Commission.

Fire guts Winneba Government Hospital

Fire destroyed medical consumables at the Winneba Government Hospital in the Central Region.

The fire is said to have started following a blast in the Pharmacy store of the hospital.

Fire razes 13 shops in Swedru

Fire razed down 13 shops and destroyed items worth hundreds of thousands of Ghana Cedis at Agona Swedru in the Central Region.

3,077 Fires kill 57 in 1st half of year

Fifty-seven people lost their lives in 3,077 fire incidents recorded across the country between January to June, this year. The figures represent an average of four deaths and 522 fires monthly, with financial loss amounting to Ghc2.83 million monthly.

Fierce fire gutted Abuja Slum

Many people were rendered homeless as the wooden structures which served as the residential and business centres of the victims were completely destroyed by the fire which started at about 8pm.

The slum accommodated mostly head porters and petty traders who ply their trade in the central business district of Accra.

Fire hits Aboadze Plant

The hope that the Volta River Authority (VRA) will improve power supply in the country suffered a momentary setback when a section of its thermal station at Aboadze exploded.

LETAP Jewellery, Suame magazine hit by fire

The unending fire disasters that have engulfed the nation hit Letap Jewellery on the Graphic Road and the Suame magazine in Kumasi.

Fire destroys 49 shops at Makola

Forty-nine shops were destroyed by fire at the Makola shopping mall in Accra.

The fire which destroyed wooden structures, started at midnight.

INFERNO, Makola No. 2 in flames. 400 shops gone

Two fierce fire outbreaks rocked Accra, destroying the livelihoods of 400 traders and leaving one person dead.

Kantamanto is gone

A ferocious fire swept through the Kantamanto market taking away the livelihoods of about 800 traders and their families.

Misery, hopelessness and confusion were written on the faces of many of them as they watched the raging fire devastate their wares which included provisions, confectionery, shoes, second-hand clothing referred to as “Broni Waawu”.