A fire has destroyed a shopping centre in Kumasi, Ghana’s second-largest city, leaving traders counting their losses after the blaze tore through the building on Thursday.
The China City Mall at Santasi was engulfed by flames that produced thick smoke visible from a considerable distance, witnesses said.
Firefighters battled to control the inferno after it broke out at the rear of the building and spread rapidly throughout the commercial complex.
“We received a distress call about the fire and dispatched two fire tenders to the scene immediately. Our men have been working tirelessly to contain the blaze,” a Ghana National Fire Service officer told local news site MyJoyOnline.
Despite their efforts, the entire structure was destroyed, along with shops selling electronics, groceries and home accessories.
The speed of the fire meant most traders were unable to rescue their stock, according to people at the scene.
No deaths or injuries have been reported, officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation confirmed.
The shopping centre had opened earlier this year and had become popular with residents in Kumasi and surrounding areas.
Fire service investigators are now examining what caused the blaze and assessing the full extent of the damage.
The loss of the mall represents a significant setback for local commerce in the Santasi area, with numerous small business owners affected.
