The Greater Accra Regional Fire Commander, ACFO II Rashid Kwame Nisawu, has revealed that efforts to fight Sunday’s blaze at Madina’s Ritz Junction were severely hampered by a lack of water due to dry hydrants in the area.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Monday, August 4, ACFO II Nisawu explained that although the Ghana National Fire Service responded swiftly, structural challenges and poor water availability significantly complicated their operations.
“Over there, we have one hydrant at Side 10, but because the taps were not flowing, even if you get there and open it, you will not get water. Unfortunately, the hydrant was dry, and we had to go to places where we could get water to come and extinguish the fire,” he said.
When asked whether the water situation was the primary obstacle in battling the fire, he said, “It was seriously an issue. Most of the time, we call for augmentation of fire engines to support water supply for firefighting purposes. Fire tenders are designed such that once you start discharging the water you came with, another unit connects to a hydrant to replenish the tank.”
“But if the hydrant closest to you is one or two kilometers away and even that is dry, then it means we have to move to far-off places just to find water,” he added.
Recounting the specific challenges faced on the day of the incident, he said, “Those who know Madina well will attest that yesterday there was no water around Redco and its environs. The hydrants are mounted on water mains, and if taps aren’t flowing, the hydrants are dry.
“So our fire tenders had to travel, some went to Abelemkpe, others beyond Legon, and even to the National Headquarters, just to fetch water.”
The fire, which he said erupted following a gas explosion, quickly spread through wooden structures in the area.
He noted that multiple fire tenders from across the region were deployed, but the initial water shortage delayed containment efforts.
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