A huge fire that erupted at a clothing market in Ghana\u2019s capital, Accra, has destroyed hundreds of livelihoods and businesses. <\/p>\n
The fire at Kantamanto Market \u2013 one of the world\u2019s largest secondhand clothing markets \u2013 has since been fully extinguished with no reported injuries or fatalities, Ghana\u2019s National Fire Service said on Facebook on Friday, adding that an investigation to determine the cause of the fire is underway. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was at home\u2026 when one of my workers called, telling me to come to the market quickly. By the time I arrived at 3 a.m., everything was burnt,\u201d secondhand shoes dealer Kwabena Charles told Ghana\u2019s state-run Ghana News Agency (GNA). <\/p>\n
\u201cWe tried to save what we could, but it was impossible,\u201d he said, adding that he had lost goods worth a lot of money. <\/p>\n
Videos posted to Facebook by the country\u2019s fire service in the early hours of Thursday show swathes of market stalls engulfed in flames. <\/p>\n
According to GNA, the country\u2019s Director of Inspectorate at the National Disaster Management Organization, Richard Amo Yartey, visited the site on Thursday, expressing sympathy to the traders. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s quite unfortunate that this happened at a time when we should be celebrating the New Year, but this is not the end of life. We are doing our best to support those affected and ensure they get back on their feet,\u201d he said, according to GNA. <\/p>\n
Environmental group Greenpeace estimates at least 30,000 people work at the market, processing millions of secondhand items of clothing, mostly from the West. <\/p>\n
There have been several previous fires at the market. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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