Fire destroys property in Ashanti Region

The two separate fire incidents that occurred on Thursday dawn in the Kumasi Metropolis and the Atwima-Kwanwoma District of Ashanti, have left in its wake huge property losses, including the destruction of school buildings.

The first incident involved the Sokoban-Krofrom D/A Junior High School (JHS) in the Atwima Kwanwoma District, which had the entire three classroom block with teachers’ offices and computer laboratory, ravaged by the fires.

Mr. Bismark Addai Dwomoh, the Assemblyman for the area told the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi that, the fire started around 2.30 am on Thursday.

Items destroyed included computers, school furniture, books as well as other teaching and learning materials.

He said it took the officials from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) about 40 minutes to douse the flames, after earlier attempts by members of the community failed.

Mr Addai said though the cause of the fire outbreak was still not known, but the people in the community suspected a foul play.

He said officials from the District Education office have recommended the temporary relocation of the pupils to the nearby Ampabame R/C JHS for teaching and learning to continue, while efforts continue for the rehabilitation of the school.

In a related development, another fire outbreak destroyed a chain of auto-mechanic shops at Dichemso, in the Kumasi Metropolis.

The incident was reported to have started around 3.30 am on Thursday and destroyed several cars, spare parts shops and other valuable properties in the area.