Fire guts five shops in Prestea; GNFS saves eight others

Firefighters from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) have contained a commercial fire outbreak at Oppong Valley Station in Bogoso in the Western Region, preventing the blaze from spreading to nearby shops.

The fire, which occurred on Tuesday, August 4, destroyed two metal container shops and affected three wooden shops before personnel from the Prestea Fire Station brought it under control and later extinguished it.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the service said the timely intervention by the firefighters prevented further losses, with eight adjoining shops successfully saved from the flames.

"Firefighters from the Prestea Fire Station successfully contained a commercial fire outbreak at Oppong Valley Station in Bogoso on Tuesday, preventing the blaze from causing more extensive damage," the GNFS said.

According to the service, preliminary investigations indicate that residents initially attempted to extinguish the fire before notifying firefighters.

"Their swift response salvaged eight nearby shops from destruction," the statement added.

The Ghana National Fire Service said the cause of the fire is yet to be established and remains under investigation.