Fire destroys shops at Fobest Shopping Centre in Obuasi

A massive fire has destroyed the Fobest Shopping Centre, widely known as the Obuasi China Mall, leaving several traders devastated after losing goods and property worth millions of Ghana cedis.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, May 19, at Bogobiri in Obuasi.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire started at about 1:00 a.m. in a shop situated at the back of the shopping complex before rapidly spreading to nearby stores. More than seven shops were affected, with merchandise and valuables completely burnt.

Two individuals amidst debris and charred remains of a building, with one person inspecting the area and the other observing, in an industrial setting.

One of the victims, who owns a mechanic shop, revealed that he had recently stocked goods valued at over GH¢900,000.

“I have lost everything. My entire investment has been destroyed,” he said.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi, Faustilove Appiah Kannin, visited the scene to assess the damage and sympathise with the affected traders.

During the visit, Madam Appiah Kannin assured victims of the Assembly’s support and pledged that investigations would be conducted to establish the cause of the fire.

Image of a burned structure with blackened walls and debris scattered around, including charred sheets of metal and remnants of vehicles, set against a cloudy sky.

“We will make sure the cause of the fire is thoroughly investigated. Anyone found to have acted negligently or engaged in criminal activity will face the law,” she stated.

Residents and eyewitnesses have offered varying explanations about the possible cause of the blaze. Some suspect an electrical fault within the mall, while others believe unknown individuals may have intentionally set fire to a shop behind the complex.

Officials from the Ghana National Fire Service and other safety agencies have yet to release an official report as investigations continue.

Eyewitnesses, however, praised the quick response of personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service and the AngloGold Ashanti Fire Unit, saying their efforts helped prevent the fire from spreading to nearby buildings and other parts of the enclave.

A group of people interacting on a street, with some standing and others in the background. The woman in the foreground is wearing a yellow shirt and a cap, while others wear casual clothing. A marketplace is visible in the background.

The Presiding Member of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly, David Odoom, along with Assembly Members and officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation, also visited the area to console the affected traders.

The incident has once again raised concerns about fire safety measures and emergency preparedness in major commercial centres within the municipality.