At least 1,545 shops have been destroyed after a fire erupted in the Kantamanto market area during the early hours of January 2, 2025.

According to sources in Kantamanto, traders had previously received warnings of a potential attack during Ghana’s 2024 election period, prompting precautionary measures.

“When we were about to vote, we received intel about an attack on the market; so we even spoke to IGP Dampare to deploy police officers around the market to ensure safety. After the elections, we assumed the threat was over,” the source said.

According to the source, the fire peaked around 1:00 AM to 1:20AM, and ravaged everything within a two-mile radius. “Around 1:20 AM, I received a call that the market was on fire. When I arrived, the place was in flames, and many stores had collapsed into ashes. The fire consumed shops along the roadside and deep into the market.”

The cause of the fire has not yet been identified.

“The numbered shops in the market are 1,545, and all of them have been destroyed. In addition, there are smaller stores within the market, bringing the total to roughly 2,000,” yawanews.com source added.

The Ghana National Fire Service reported dispatching 13 fire trucks from across Accra to combat the blaze, which occurred near the Ghana Commercial Bank.

No casualties have been reported. Fire officers on the scene confirmed they had ensured that all traders at the scene were taken to safety and eventually managed to bring the fire under control.