The Ho Municipal Assembly on Thursday allayed fears of any fire disaster occurring at the Ho Central Market.

Edward Gidiglo, Ho Municipal Coordinating Director, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Ho, on the safety of the market, said in view of recent fire disasters in markets across the country, measures had been put in place to prevent any fire disaster.

He said the Assembly had written to the Ghana Water Company for more fire hydrants for use at the market, following a fire audit of the facility.

Mr Gidiglo said corn-mill operators and people who use open fire had also been educated on disaster prevention.

He said the Assembly had created routes for easy access to the market in case of any disasters.

Mr Gidiglo commended traders in the market for their cooperation with the authorities, and urged the Market Safety Department of Fire Service to organize regular education on fire prevention and control for the traders.

“We are fine here. Those who use open fire have been told how to manage it. Those who have containers also use torchlight and not electricity so we are okay,” Madam Blessing Nadzoa Dornor, a trader at the market said.

Franklin Philip Masiku, Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Fire Service, Volta Region, said traders at the market were “receptive” and urged them to remain “fire cautious”.

He, however, cautioned food vendors, who use Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and open fire, particularly those at Tanyigbe lorry station, near the main market.

Mr Masiku said the impact of any fire disaster could be harsh, and advised the Municipal Assembly to re-locate the lorry station or food vendors, who use LPG and open fire there.