A fire incident in Okwenya, a suburb of Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality of Ghana's Eastern Region, has destroyed approximately 5 hectares of a mango farm. The farm, spanning a total of 10 hectares, suffered losses exceeding USD 8,500.
According to Mr. Abubakari Musah of the Somanya Fire Service, the department received a distress call at 11:20 AM from the farm owner, reporting the blaze. The Ghana National Fire Service promptly dispatched a team to the scene, successfully controlling and extinguishing the fire.
Mr. Musah noted that the affected land also housed a medium-scale piggery, which fortunately remained unharmed. The farmer explained that the fire started after burning a snake in an area where pig waste was mixed with sawdust. The farmer underestimated the risk, believing the fire was contained, unaware that it could smolder under the sawdust and spread to nearby vegetation.
Mr. Musah stated, "Due to the ongoing harmattan, the dry weeds facilitated the slow spread of the fire to the surrounding area, eventually consuming the mango farm." Despite efforts to control the flames, the situation escalated, necessitating assistance from the fire service. The remaining 5 hectares were saved from destruction.
He emphasized the need for caution during fire-related activities, particularly in dry conditions. Farmers are urged to implement precautionary measures and establish fire belts to prevent fire spread between farms.
Source: Modern Ghana
