A devastating fire has engulfed and destroyed 12 acres of a mango farm in Okwenya, a suburb of Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality, leaving the farm owner with losses exceeding GH₵100,000.
The affected farm, spanning a total of 25 acres, was partially saved through the swift intervention of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr. Abubakari Musah of the Somanya Fire Service recounted that his office received a distress call at approximately 11:20 AM last week from the farm owner, who reported the raging fire.
A firefighting team was quickly mobilized to the scene, where they successfully contained and extinguished the blaze before it could spread further.
According to Mr. Musah, investigations revealed that the fire originated from a seemingly minor incident. The farmer, who also operates a medium-scale piggery on the same land, had killed a snake and set it ablaze in an area where pig waste was mixed with sawdust.
Believing the fire to be harmless, the farmer underestimated the potential for smoldering embers to spread. The dry conditions brought on by the harmattan season facilitated the fire’s slow but destructive progression, eventually reaching and engulfing the mango plantation.
“Despite attempts to put out the flames, the fire quickly escalated, leading to significant damage before we were alerted,” Mr. Musah explained. “Fortunately, we were able to save the remaining 13 acres from destruction.”
He further advised farmers to exercise extreme caution when handling fire, particularly during the dry season, and recommended the creation of fire belts around farms to prevent such disasters.
The Ghana National Fire Service continues to urge the public to adopt fire prevention strategies to safeguard properties, livelihoods, and the environment.
Source:GNA
