Fire guts China city mall in Kumasi, millions lost

A raging fire on Thursday afternoon destroyed the China City Mall near the Santasi Roundabout in Kumasi, resulting in the loss of property and goods estimated at several million cedis.

The inferno, which reportedly started around 3:00 p.m., completely consumed the facility, which had been in operation for less than six months.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that the fire began in one of the external shops and spread rapidly through adjoining structures within the complex. Thick smoke covered the skyline as traders and bystanders watched helplessly while firefighters battled to contain the blaze. The mall, one of Kumasi’s newest commercial hubs, hosted several retail outlets dealing in imported Chinese merchandise, including electronics, textiles, and household items.

Personnel from multiple stations of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in the Ashanti Region responded swiftly to the distress call and fought the fire for several hours before bringing it under control. However, the intensity of the flames and the combustible nature of materials within the facility made the operation extremely challenging.

“The combustible materials made the fire spread very fast. We’ve been able to bring it under control, but our men are on ground to prevent the unforeseen. Fortunately, at the time of the incident, most of the workers were on break so no casualty was recorded. The building has developed serious cracks and needs to be pulled down,” ACFO Peter Tetteh, Ashanti Regional Fire Commander, told the media.

Though no casualties were recorded, the financial loss is expected to be substantial, with traders counting huge losses as their shops and goods were reduced to ashes. Many of them stood in shock behind police barricades as they watched years of investment destroyed within hours.

The China City Mall had, in recent months, become a bustling trading centre in Kumasi, attracting hundreds of shoppers daily due to its wide range of affordable products. The tragedy has therefore been described by some residents and business owners as a major blow to the city’s retail economy.

The police have since sealed off the premises while the GNFS begins a full-scale investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary reports, however, point to a possible electrical fault, though officials say they are exploring all possible angles.