Akim-Oda (E/R), Sept. 14, GNA - Fire gutted down part of the Akim-Oda market, destroying goods worth several million of cedis. Unconfirmed report indicated that snakes at the scene bit some people in an attempt to help control the fire.

An eyewitness told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the fire was spotted raging the market at about 11PM on Saturday and a distress call was made to the Akim-Oda district fire service.

Personnel from the service quickly responded to the call but their initial effort to control the fire was hampered due to the inaccessible nature of the road to the market.

Traders, whose stalls were being razed to the ground, broke down in tears and looked on helplessly.

Others whose stalls were not immediately affected and were carting their goods home, suffered another ordeal as thieves took advantage of the situation and stole some of their items.

The fireman at the scene told the GNA that they could only know the cause of the fire after a thorough investigation.