One of Gambia’s major industrial areas outside the capital, Banjul has been destroyed by fire with traders losing millions of dollars’ worth of goods.
Many of the traders were left in tears after the fire outbreak which happened on Sunday evening, according to eyewitnesses.
According to some residents around the industrial area the fire started at a cooking gas store.
Firefighters struggled to contain the fire and were only able to finally put it out on Monday with specialist equipment.
Over 50 vehicles were burnt to ashes in the fire and many shops with goods destroyed.
Some business owners who were counting their losses said they have lost over $2m in property and stock.
There were no reports of deaths although many residents close to the area had to flee their homes during the fire outbreak.
Gambia’s President Adama Barrow who visited the scene of the fire said “The magnitude of damage I saw at the industrial fire incident in Kanifing this morning (Monday) was quite devastating.
My thoughts and sympathy are with all those affected. Now, we must put all hands on deck and review the existing safety measures to prevent any future recurrence.”
He also expressed his “gratitude to the first responders, led by The Gambia Fire and Rescue Services, for their bravery, sacrifice, and determination, under very difficult circumstances, in containing what could have been an even bigger disaster.”
Source: Africafeeds.com
