Fire officers from Abura-Dunkwa and Assin Fosu narrowly escaped an attack by angry youth in Assin Brasiako, Assin North District of the Central Region, after a devastating fire consumed a four-bedroom house.
The situation nearly turned chaotic, but the timely intervention of Professor Elisha Sarpong, the Assembly Member for the area, officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and community opinion leaders prevented further escalation.
The youth blamed the fire officers for a delayed response, claiming it contributed to the total destruction of the building. Household properties including refrigerators, televisions, mattresses, and other appliances worth thousands of cedis were destroyed in the blaze.
Some residents confronted the fire officers at the scene, threatening them and warning against approaching the property. However, Hon. Sarpong managed to calm the agitated crowd, allowing the fire personnel to carry out their duties without further intimidation.
Speaking to Angel News correspondent Kwame Owusu Asante Shadrack of Rich FM, some youth expressed frustration over the slow response.
Meanwhile, DOII Paul Tawiah, Assin Fosu District Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, explained that the only fire tender serving Assin North, Assin South, and Assin Central had broken down after responding to a previous emergency. Fire tenders from Abura-Dunkwa and New Adubiase, over two hours away, were deployed, accounting for the delay.
Hon. Sarpong revealed that this marks about the fifth fire outbreak in Assin North within the past three months, resulting in millions of cedis in losses. He attributed the recurring incidents to the lack of a functional fire tender and fire stations in the area and called on the government to establish fire stations in Assin North urgently to prevent future disasters.
