Traders ‘tamper’ with evidence

It is feared that some volume of evidence which could possibly aid ongoing investigations into the Kumasi Central Market fire incident  which occurred last Sunday, might have been lost to the invasion of traders into the scene of investigations.

The National Chief Fire Officer, Br. John Bosco Guyiri, who did not find the behavior convenient appealed to the traumatized traders to exercise patience and allow investigations to ascertain the true cause of the fire.

He observed that very often, affected persons of fire disasters interfere one way or the other with evidence which could easily help the Fire Service to unravel the cause of such fires, and cautioned against the practice which he says hinders the investigations of fire officials.

Brigadier Guyiri disclosed that secluded areas at the scene of the fire incidence taped to enable the team of investigators to carry out investigations into the disaster have all been breached, with traders all over attempting to salvage the remainder of their half burnt wares. Other traders could visible be seen trying to clear the debris to speedily set up their stalls and shelters.

Meanwhile, a three member team of the US fire experts who have been called into the country to investigate the unending markets fire incidents have visited the scene at the Kumasi Central Market together with officials of Ghana National Fire Service.

Even though no official pronouncement were made at the time of the visit, executives of the various trading associations who members were affected by the fire are sending signals not to allow any takeover by city authorities since the area of the market they occupy does not belong to the Assembly.

However, Mr. Kofi Sarpong, National Chairman, Ghana Used Clothing Association have asked all affected traders to remain calm despite several calls to protest against any attempt to take over the market. He re -echoed the sentiments of the traders indicating that they would welcome the reconstruction of the whole market but however resist fiercely against any decision to them single out.

In a rather bizarre incident a trader exposed herself to officials who were touring the sections of the burnt market to demonstrate their threat to stage a ‘naked demo’ if any move is made to evict them.