Security agencies have started investigating one Seth Kwesi Ofosu, whose cigarette allegedly sparked the fire at the GOIL filling station near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.
Hundreds of Ghanaians lost their lives on June 3 after the GOIL filling station caught fire amidst heavy rains.
[contextly_sidebar id=”2JybKJIoxacq5UMYU3Xjp2WCvBHe7CDd”]The committee set by the government to investigate the cause of the fire has attributed it to “the dropping of the lit cigarette stub by Seth Kwesi Ofosu onto the floating fuel.”
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Justice Isaac Delali Douse at a press conference explained that “we are not in the position to determine his [Ofosu] actual status so we have handed him to the security agencies to investigate and arrive at a conclusion whether or not he intentionally caused arson.”
The Committee has submitted it’s report to the Minister of Interior, Mark Owen Woyongo.
Damage
Justice Douse said five houses, including the Goil filling station suffered various degrees of damages, as a result of the fire, valued at GH1,658,847.00, adding that, other properties suffered minor damages, which have not been valued.
He said 17 motor vehicles, including a fuel tanker were burnt beyond repair, a mini mart located within the filling station, Bediako Pharmacy and the Honest Chef Restaurant were completely destroyed.
The chairman of the committee also said in all 154 persons lost their lives with 154 others sustaining various degrees of injuries.
Recommendation:
The committee recommended that the Odaw River should be dredged and plastics such as carrier bags, water dispensers and cooked food containers should be banned.
The committee also recommended the provision of air ambulances and helicopters fire fighters, which should be managed by the Ghana Air Force and urged government to set up a fund to cater for the injured and deceased families.
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By: Godwin A. Allotey /citifmonline.com/Ghana