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General News of Wednesday, 27 February 2013

Source: Joy Online

Fire guts Sodom and Gomorrah

Hundreds of slum dwellers at Gyimah Park, a suburb of Old Fadama popularly called Sodom and Gomorrah, have been rendered homeless as fire this morning consumed their properties.

The fire which started around 1145hrs swept through the wooden structures housing hundreds of head porters locally called 'Kayayei'.

The Industrial Area Fire Station were quick to respond to distress calls of victims.

Firemen arrived at the scene of the fire which is less than five minutes drive from the station.

The lack of access routes to the scene also hampered the the activity of the firemen.

A resident, Mohammed Amin, suspects the incident was caused by two kids who had been spotted earlier playing with fire.

According to him, the fire started just after they had cautioned the kids about the consequences of their action.

The incident brought economic activities at the place to a standstill as hundreds of 'Kayayei' scrambled to salvage their belongings.

The timely intervention of the Fire Service however prevented the fire from spreading to adjoining structures of the biggest slum in the country.