Kumasi, Feb.9, GNA - Disaster struck the Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School (OKESS) in Kumasi when the entire first floor of the boys' dormitory block was gutted by fire on Friday night. All the belongings of the students were destroyed by the fire which was said to have started around 12 midnight (0001 hour). The cause of the fire is not yet known but it is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.

Parts of the Housemaster's bungalow were also burnt by the fire. It took personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service and some of the students several hours to put it off. The students have been asked to go home temporarily, while investigations were underway.

Mr. Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, his Deputy, Mr Osei Assibey Antwi as well as Mrs Belinda Serwaah Addo, Ashanti Regional Director of Education and other officials from the Ghana Education Service on Saturday morning visited the school to ascertain the extent of damage caused by the fire. Mr. Opuni Boakye, Headmaster of the school, briefing the Minister and his entourage said it took personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service several hours to put off the fire. He said the school authorities had initiated investigations into the cause of the fire outbreak. Mr. Owusu-Ansah consoled the students and staff and advised them to always be careful with electrical appliances they used to avoid future disasters. 09 Feb. 08