Traders woke up to disaster at the Bimbilla Yam Market on Sunday, January 25, as a raging fire tore through the market, reducing large sections to ashes and destroying thousands of yams in one of the town’s most devastating market incidents in recent years.
The blaze reportedly started around 4:20 a.m., quickly consuming yam stores and wooden sheds before firefighters could arrive. While the cause remains unclear, the speed and intensity of the fire left traders helpless as years of investment went up in flames.
The Ghana National Fire Service contained the fire, preventing it from spreading further. Assistant Divisional Officer Grade One, Abdulai Mohammed, confirmed that investigations have started to determine the cause and assess the extent of the damage.
“When we arrived, the fire was extremely intense. Several yam stores and wooden structures were already burning. Our immediate focus was to stop it from spreading to the rest of the market, and we were able to confine and eventually extinguish the fire,” he said.
He added that the cost of destruction is yet to be determined and urged traders and residents to exercise caution with fire and electrical appliances. “People must be careful, especially during this period. Electrical appliances should always be switched off when shops are closed, and open burning within the market should be avoided,” he cautioned.
Traders affected have been left devastated and are appealing for urgent help. Asheitu Musah, one of the victims, said he lost about 500 yams when his shed was completely destroyed. “I received a call that the market was on fire and rushed here. Every shed is gone. We suspect drug addicts who operate here at night may have started the fire. The loss is huge, and we need support to recover,” he said.
Residents expressed similar concerns, alleging that drug-related activities in the market area may have contributed to the outbreak. They are calling on authorities to boost security and prevent future incidents.
The fire has reignited concerns about safety, security, and fire prevention measures in major markets across the region.
