Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah has said he directed that the Krofrom gas filling station which exploded on Tuesday be shut down way before the disaster occurred.

He said the order was given in 2017 when he visited the fuel station.

Mr Osei-Mensah said this on Wednesday, 21 November 2018 when he visited the disaster scene to assess the extent of damage caused by the explosion.

He said he will be investigating the matter to know whether the gas station had a permit to operate.

Meanwhile, two people are reported dead while one person is battling for his life at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) following the gas explosion.

Mr Frank Duodu, Kumasi Metro Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation told Kumasi FM’s Elisha Adarkwah on Wednesday that two individuals had lost their lives.

The two were identified as Collins Obeng, 37; and John, 68.

Over 10 cars were burnt and some nearby shops were also ravaged by the fire.