By Adama Makasuba
The Serrekunda gas fire outbreak has burned down food and clothing shops, amounting to thousands of Gambian dalasis, which is known to be caused by the spark of cooking gas at around 10:00 am on January 12, 2024.
The shops had been submerged despite residents’ attempts to put out the ravaging fire, as fire and rescue officers struggled to arrive at the scene due to accessibility linked to the poor design of Gambian narrow roads.
Refrigerators, clothing, and other materials were burnt into embers. Alpha Jallow, where the fire started, expressed dismay, and apologized to people whose shops were burnt down while unveiling that he had lost more than 50,000 dalasis.
Ajaratou Madam Jobe, one of the shop owners, said she owned a shop there, and all was burnt down. She said, “it’s very disheartening, but God knows best; hence, no life lost.
The Kanifing Municipal Council deployed a team led by the deputy mayor and the council’s market manager to assess the situation. Speaking for the council, Modou Njie consoled the victims while urging landlords and tenants to be careful with materials that can spark a fire outbreak. Modou Njie and team sympathize with the victims and encourage landlords and tenants to be cautious of anything that can spark a fire, especially gas.
