By Emmanuella Owusu, GNA
Ashiaman, April 01 GNA — The devastating fire outbreak at Tulaku, a slum community located behind the Ghana Water Company in Ashaiman, has left some residents homeless, as it resulted in the total loss of personal property and business capital.
The blaze, which began approximately at 1600 hours on Tuesday, razed an estimated 75 kiosks and over 52 permanent structures, leaving some residents, including their children, without shelter or basic necessities.
Many affected residents, including scrap dealers, carpenters, and market traders, operated on a cash basis and routinely kept their business capital within their homes.
For many victims, the disaster represents a total loss of their economic foundations.
Mr David Paul Agyei Asare, a driver and scrap dealer, recounted the moment he realised the smoke rising near the Ashaiman market was emanating from his own residence.
“Many people lost their daily savings because they had kept them at home to use for their business the next day,” Mr Asare noted.
Ms Emmanuella Amposah, a trader and mother of four, returned from the market to find her home destroyed.
“I couldn’t save a single thing; even the clothes I am wearing were given to me by someone,” she said.
Mr Agbo Freeman, a carpenter, described a similar scene of devastation, noting that his family of five and his brother’s family of eight have been left with no place to sleep.
He added that the fire consumed everything from household appliances to his children’s school uniforms and bags.
Ms Shukura Zakari, another resident, lamented the loss of both her home and her shop, emphasising that she was now solely responsible for her three children while her husband was away, stating that “we have nowhere to go”.
The victims, including artisans and traders, are urgently calling on the government, religious bodies, and philanthropic organisations for humanitarian assistance.
They emphasised that beyond the loss of shelter, the destruction of their liquid capital has left them without the means to provide basic necessities such as food for their families.
Authorities are yet to confirm the official cause of the fire, while affected residents continue to count their losses amidst the ruins of the Tulaku settlement.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Linda Asante Agyei