Officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and National Security are clearing debris from the China City Mall in Kumasi after a massive fire razed the facility to the ground.
The mall, situated at Santasi and opened just six months ago, was completely destroyed by the blaze on Thursday afternoon, with goods worth millions of dollars lost.
Distraught owners could only watch helplessly as their investment was consumed by the flames.
“I was returning from class when I noticed smoke rising from the back of the mall. We quickly rushed there and called the fire service, who said they were on their way,” an eyewitness said.
At least four fire tenders were deployed to the scene, but despite their efforts, the fire spread rapidly, engulfing the entire structure, which housed shops dealing in electronics, groceries, and home accessories.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined as investigations continue.
Kumasi Mayor Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi and Regional Fire Commander ACFO Peter Tettey visited the site to assess the situation.
“We can’t enter the building because it’s unstable and may collapse. The fire started while most workers were on break. Highly flammable materials inside and the building’s structure contributed to the rapid spread,” ACFO Tettey explained.
The Mayor added that heavy-duty DRIP machines have been requested to help bring in more water and assist with the demolition process.
Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before finally bringing it under control, though small pockets of fire remained visible in the ruins.
No casualties have been reported.
The China City Mall had quickly become a favorite shopping destination for residents of Kumasi and neighboring areas. Excavators are expected to begin demolishing the remains of the structure in the coming days to pave the way for future redevelopment.