Fire Destroys Eddie K Boutique in Kumasi During Heavy Sunday Downpour

On the evening of Sunday, June 14, a devastating fire swept through the Asokwa branch of the popular Eddie K Boutique, also known as Eddy Kay Collection Shop, in Kumasi. The blaze, which began around 7:30 p.m. amidst a heavy seasonal downpour, completely destroyed the shop's contents, leaving the business in ruins. The boutique is situated in a high-traffic area near the Unity Oil Filling Station, raising immediate fears that the fire could spread to nearby commercial structures and the fuel station itself.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) was alerted to the emergency and responded with notable speed, arriving at the location just 12 minutes after the distress call. Before their arrival, local residents and bystanders had attempted to quench the flames, but the intensity of the fire proved overwhelming. The professional firefighters managed to contain the inferno and successfully prevented it from jumping to adjacent buildings, officially bringing the fire under control by 8:52 p.m. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

Akwasi Amo Kamel, the Municipal Chief Executive for the area, visited the site to offer support and evaluate the extent of the loss. He praised the GNFS personnel for their bravery and quick thinking, noting that their intervention saved several other businesses from a similar fate. While the exact cause of the fire is still being investigated by fire experts, many eyewitnesses and residents suspect that power fluctuations, common during heavy storms in the region, may have sparked the initial flame.

In light of this tragedy, the Fire Service has renewed its call for the public to remain vigilant regarding fire safety, especially during the rainy season. Officials have advised residents and business owners to unplug non-essential electrical appliances during storms and to ensure that their electrical wiring is regularly inspected by certified professionals. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of commercial properties to electrical fires and the critical importance of rapid emergency response systems in urban centers like Kumasi.