The volatile Odupongkpehe Zongo section of the Kasoa Old Market became a scene of double tragedy yesterday as a devastating fire outbreak was followed by a violent mob attack on emergency responders. Firefighters from the Weija Fire Station, who were dispatched to battle the inferno, were met with a hail of stones and physical threats from a group of irate local youth. The hostility, which resulted in the smashing of the fire engine's windscreen, forced the crew to retreat and wait for police reinforcement, leading to a significant delay that allowed the flames to completely consume several container shops.
The chaos began late Friday evening, February 27, when a distress call was placed regarding a rapidly spreading fire in the heart of the market. According to DO Addo Danso, the Weija Fire Station Administrator, his team reached the scene at approximately 20:20 GMT after receiving the call at 17:54 GMT. The delay, which incensed the local community, was attributed to a systemic failure within the Kasoa municipality; both the Kasoa and Budumburam fire tenders were reportedly non-operational at the time of the incident, necessitating a backup call to the Weija station miles away. Upon arrival, instead of being welcomed, the Weija crew found themselves targeted by residents who accused them of lethargy.
The violence was so severe that the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) personnel had to navigate both a raging inferno and a hostile crowd pelting them with projectiles. It took the intervention of the Kasoa CBD Police to disperse the mob and secure a safe perimeter for the firefighters to deploy their hoses. By the time the blaze was eventually brought under control, two major metal container shops filled with valuable goods had been reduced to ashes. Traders, many of whom had already suffered through previous market fires, were left in despair as they watched their livelihoods vanish due to the combined impact of the fire and the mob-induced delay.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Awutu Senya East, Seth Sabah Serwonoo-Banini, visited the charred remains of the shops early this morning, February 28, and expressed absolute disgust at the youth's behavior. "Attacking security and emergency personnel on duty is a criminal act that endangers the entire community," the MCE stated, confirming that he has tasked the police to track down and prosecute those responsible for the assault. The GNFS has also lodged a formal complaint at the local police station, vowing to seek full compensation for the damage caused to state property during the incident.
This latest fire has reignited the conversation regarding the dire state of firefighting infrastructure in one of Ghana’s fastest-growing municipalities. The fact that two local fire stations were unable to respond to a major market fire is a stark reminder of the equipment deficit facing the service. While the cause of the blaze is still under investigation, the aftermath is a sobering mix of economic loss and a breakdown in civil cooperation. As the community begins the painful process of clearing the debris, the incident stands as a warning that without functional equipment and public respect for first responders, future emergencies could prove even more catastrophic.
