Takoradi, July 16, GNA - With the exception of a Holy Bible, all properties including paints, chemicals, electrical gadgets and personal belongings were destroyed by fire at the Ark Paint Ventures, a paint company early Friday morning in Takoradi.

An opened Holy Bible, which was on a burnt suitcase, was intact.

Personnel from the Takoradi Fire office, joined by their colleagues from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, brought the fire which started about 0800 hours under control in 45 minutes.

Eye witnesses told the Ghana News Agency at the scene that they heard a loud explosion from one of the offices followed by fire and called the firemen.

Mr Archibald Deman, owner of the paint company which is located in the Public Works Department (PWD) premises, said he established the factory four years ago.

Mr Deman said due to accommodation problems he had packed a lot of his personal belongings into one of the offices and they were to be conveyed to a house on Sunday.

He said unfortunately all the belongings together with the paints, chemicals for the production of the paints and furniture were consumed by the fire.