Disaster averted: Residents douse Nsawam cold store fire before firefighters arrive

A late-night fire at a cold store in Nsawam has raised fresh concerns about electrical safety in busy market centres, though swift community action helped prevent casualties.

The Ghana National Fire Service said it responded to the incident at the Jodorf Cold Store in the Nsawam Main Market on March 26, following reports of a blaze triggered by an electrical explosion.

A six-member crew from the Suhum Municipal Fire Station was dispatched to the scene, but upon arrival, officers found that residents had already extinguished the fire before their intervention.

According to a statement issued by the Service, preliminary findings indicated that the fire was caused by an explosion from an electricity meter, which sparked panic among traders and nearby residents.

As a precautionary measure, the Electricity Company of Ghana disconnected power supply to the affected area to prevent any further risk.

Subsequent investigations confirmed that the blaze resulted from an electrical fault, which destroyed the meter at the centre of the incident.

No injuries or fatalities were recorded, a development authorities have attributed to the timely response of residents and the quick isolation of the power source.

The incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of market infrastructure to electrical hazards, particularly in densely populated trading zones where wiring systems are often overstretched.

Fire officials have urged the public, especially traders, to prioritise regular inspection of electrical installations and adhere to safety guidelines to minimise the risk of similar outbreaks.