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03.04.2006 Regional News

Fire guts Zanamat at Bawku

03.04.2006 LISTEN
By GNA

Bawku, (U/E), April 3, GNA - Two separate fire outbreaks during the early hours of Monday destroyed "Zanamat", a popular spot that housed two drinking bars and two chop bars; and a tailoring shop at Bawku. One of the drinking bars served as the vending point of the two national dailies - "Daily Graphic" and "Ghanaian Times". Many assorted drinks and food items valued at millions of cedis were lost in the fire outbreaks.

However, there were no causalities as the occupants fled the premises for their dear lives.

The fire also affected three adjourning houses but the timely arrival of personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service prevented the fire from spreading to a compound house nearby.

The cause of the fires was not readily known but it was believed to have been caused by an electrical fault since the Bawku Township experienced frequent power outburst throughout the night. According to the watchman of the chop bar, Alale Adakurugu, at about 0345 hours he saw smoke emitting from one of the drinking bars so he raised the alarm for the other occupants to flee. He said as soon as they came out the fire engulfed the structures completely so they could not pick anything from the bar. He said he contacted a colleague watchman, who used his motorbike and went to inform the Fire Service since there were no telephone facilities.

The Leader of the Fire Service team, Mr Ben Ayongo said the team arrived on the scene when the buildings were totally destroyed due to the late report they had so they only had to prevent the fire from spreading to the adjourning houses and kiosks.

He said the combustible nature of items made the fire to rage on too long before they could bring it under total control.

In the second incidents the owner of the tailoring shop, Aminu Abdulai said he had a call at about 0405 hours that his kiosk was on fire so he rushed to the Fire Service Station only to be told that they had gone to another location to put off a fire. He said they were helpless while they watched the fire destroying their proprieties.

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