Lack of fire hydrant worsened China City mall blaze – GNFS

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed that the China City Mall in Kumasi, which was destroyed by fire on Thursday, October 30, lacked a fire hydrant and a mechanised borehole facilities that could have significantly aided efforts to control the blaze.

Head of Public Relations for the GNFS, Divisional Officer II Desmond E. Ackah, said the absence of these safety systems contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Friday, October 31, Mr. Ackah revealed that the mall had been in operation for only six months and was still working to meet some key safety requirements.

“No, they didn’t have a fire hydrant. Once you meet the basic fire safety requirements, you are permitted to start operation. But the requirement is such that it is progressive, so you move from the less costly one to the high costly one,” he disclosed.

He added that management had been expected to install either a hydrant or an alternative water storage system but had yet to do so.

“They were going to be asked to get a fire hydrant or an alternative water storage system, but that has not been done. Like I said, they opened just six months ago. Some of these things are capital-intensive, and probably that is why they haven’t done that before starting operation,” he noted.

Mr. Ackah stressed that the inferno could have been brought under control much earlier if the necessary water systems had been in place. He also lamented that some bystanders obstructed firefighters during the operation, making their work more difficult.

He said the incident underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations and greater public cooperation during emergencies.

The fire, which gutted the China City Mall at Santasi, destroyed goods and property worth millions of cedis. Though the structure was completely burnt, authorities confirmed that no casualties were recorded.