Several shops are currently being destroyed by fire at the Central Market at Adum, Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Fire service personnel, supported by five fire tenders, are currently on-site, working to extinguish the flames.

The fire is spreading quickly and is affecting several shops, particularly the electrical outlets belonging to Hello FM.

The blaze, which reportedly started in the early hours of Friday, March 21, 2025, continues to cause extensive damage, with estimates indicating losses amounting to hundreds of millions of cedis in goods and properties.

Affected traders are also evacuating their shops and removing their goods as the fire spreads.

So far, three buildings have been affected by the flames.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, accompanied by security personnel and members from the Regional Coordinating Council, visited the scene of the fire to inspect and assess the extent of the damage.

He has also been briefed by operatives from the National Security on the situation.

Addressing the media, an operative from the National Security clarified that contrary to earlier reports, the fire started around 5 a.m. on Friday.

He further explained that the primary challenge faced by the fire service personnel was their inability to access the area where the fire was burning, due to the wooden structures surrounding the building and the looting of items by some individuals.

He stated that the fire would have likely been extinguished by then if there had been a clear pathway for the fire service to access the source of the blaze.

"It started around 5 a.m. thereabout. We arrived there around 5:15. The main problem is how to get access to where the fire started. You see, had there been a way through, they would have finished their work within 30 minutes. But the people were even disrupting them as some were looting.

"We had to go and then arrest some of them. And the military too came in and then they even helped us. So, now the fire is towards the Roman Hill area, towards phase two of the building so, they are still working on it seriously. The fire is still raging and there is water in the tenders. But still, how to get to where the fire is, is our problem right now," he said.

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