Protecting Second-Hand Markets: Fire Prevention Strategies Every Reseller Must Know
Chapter One: Highlighting Major Fire Incidents in Second-Hand Clothing Markets 1. A Comprehensive Overview of the 2025 Fire Incident at Ghana’s Kantamanto Market 1.1 The Time, Location, and Cause of the Fire On the night of January 1, 2025, and into the early hours of January 2, one of the most catastrophic fires in the history of second-hand clothing markets occurred in the Kantamanto Market, Ghana’s largest hub for second-hand clothing. The fire reportedly began between 10:00 PM and 1:00 AM and rapidly spread across the market, aided by the density of the structures and the highly flammable materials. According to preliminary investigations, the fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault, though authorities are also considering the possibility of arson. The Ghana National Fire Service arrived at the scene at 1:20 AM, just minutes after the fire had reached its peak intensity. While the market’s leadership had previously installed fire extinguishers, the fire’s ...