ECG says Dumsor didn’t cause Market fire at Adum; see what really caused it

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has attributed the recent fire outbreak at Adum Market to faulty electrical installations rather than power outages, commonly referred to as ‘dumsor.’

Ing. George Amoah, the Ashanti West Regional General Manager of ECG, dismissed claims that erratic power supply caused the fire, explaining that the market operates on a dedicated distribution line—Town Hall Feeder—with an alternative power source from Power House 2. He confirmed that neither of these sources experienced outages before the fire started.

“ECG prioritizes stable power supply in Adum because it is a key commercial hub. We ensure uninterrupted power, except when maintenance or emergencies require otherwise,” Ing. Amoah stated.

He further pointed out that while vandalism and theft of transformers and cables have led to power interruptions in the past, there was no disruption in supply before the fire outbreak. ECG only disconnected power after the fire began to aid firefighting efforts and prevent further damage.

According to ECG, old and faulty electrical wiring, illegal power connections, and the use of substandard electrical components in the market pose significant safety risks. The company has advised traders to engage certified electricians and adhere to safety standards under Legislative Instrument (LI) 2008.

Ing. Amoah also addressed concerns about a recent power outage in parts of Kumasi, clarifying that it did not affect Adum Market and was entirely unrelated to the fire incident.

ECG is urging traders and business owners to prioritize electrical safety to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Source: GhanaNewsOnline