Traders were left reeling on Thursday after a fire swept through China City Mall in Santasi, Kumasi, destroying shops and causing heavy losses.
Eyewitnesses reported that the blaze began at the rear of the building and quickly spread, consuming shops that sold groceries, electronics, and household goods. Thick smoke rose over the area, visible from several parts of the city.
Firefighters from the Ghana National Fire Service battled the inferno for hours, but the mall, which had opened earlier this year, was almost entirely destroyed. Traders said they were unable to salvage most of their merchandise as the flames spread rapidly.
China City Mall had quickly become a bustling commercial hub for Kumasi residents, and its sudden destruction is expected to significantly affect local commerce and livelihoods.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the fire’s cause and are assessing the full scale of the economic damage, underscoring the need for stronger fire safety measures in Ghana’s commercial centers.
