Zabzugu Market Gutted by Harmattan Fire; MP Appeals for Urgent Relief and Fire Station
Zabzugu, Northern Region — A major fire outbreak has destroyed the Zabzugu central market, leaving traders counting heavy losses and disrupting the local economy of the township and surrounding communities.
The blaze, believed to have been intensified by strong harmattan winds, swept through the market between about 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on a busy market day, when commercial activity was at its peak. Most of the affected structures were temporary stalls made of straw and other highly flammable materials, allowing the flames to spread rapidly.
Traders watched helplessly as goods and property accumulated over years of work were consumed by the fire. Many were forced to flee for safety, unable to salvage their merchandise.
In a statement issued from Parliament House in Accra, the Member of Parliament for Zabzugu, Hon. Alhassan Umar, described the incident as one of the saddest moments in the town’s history.
“Our main market—the heart of our local economy and the lifeline of countless families—has been reduced to ashes. This tragedy occurred on a market day when traders were working hard to provide for their families,” he said.
According to the MP, briefings from relevant authorities indicated that the intensity of the harmattan winds fueled the flames, leaving little opportunity for effective rescue efforts.
He noted that the affected traders rely on daily sales to support their households, including paying school fees and meeting basic needs, and now face uncertainty about how to rebuild their livelihoods.
Hon. Umar also pointed to the absence of a Ghana National Fire Service station in Zabzugu, arguing that the level of destruction could have been minimized if emergency response facilities were located within the township.
“This unfortunate incident highlights the urgent need for improved emergency response infrastructure in our constituency,” he stated.
The MP expressed solidarity with the victims and said he had begun engaging relevant authorities to secure immediate assistance.
He appealed to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, non-governmental organisations, charitable groups and individuals to provide urgent relief to the affected traders.
Residents say the market serves as the primary commercial hub for Zabzugu and nearby communities, and its destruction is expected to have serious economic consequences, particularly for small-scale traders and women who dominate trading activities in the area.
No casualties have yet been officially reported, but the full extent of the losses is still being assessed as local authorities and community leaders begin documentation of affected persons.
Relief efforts are expected to begin in the coming days as authorities coordinate support for victims and consider reconstruction of the market.
Hon. Umar urged residents to remain united during the recovery period.
“This is the time to stand with Zabzugu. Together we will rebuild,” he said.
