Amenam Supermarket Fire: GH¢80,000 in Goods Lost in Birim North Blaze

A devastating fire has razed a mini-supermarket in Amenam, located within the Birim North Municipality of the Eastern Region, resulting in the loss of goods and equipment estimated at GH¢80,000. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, June 13, 2023, near the local Amenam clinic. While the structure and its entire contents were lost to the blaze, the prompt intervention of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) prevented the inferno from spreading to adjacent properties. Upon receiving the emergency call, a five-member firefighting crew from the New Abirem Municipal Fire Station was dispatched to the scene. Despite the intensity of the flames, which quickly engulfed the building, the fire team successfully contained the fire. Items destroyed in the supermarket included deep freezers, gas cylinders, and a large inventory of food provisions and general merchandise. The total loss represents a significant blow to the local business owner and the immediate community that relies on the facility for daily supplies. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were recorded during the incident, as the fire broke out at a time when the shop was closed. The Ghana National Fire Service has since commenced a thorough investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the outbreak. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of fire safety in commercial structures within rural and peri-urban municipalities. Local authorities and fire officials continue to urge business owners to prioritize fire prevention measures, such as installing smoke detectors and ensuring proper electrical maintenance, to mitigate such occurrences.