Ghanaian creative artist and author Ibrahim Mahama’s heritage train in the Northern Region has been ravaged by fire.
Reports suggest the devastating incident occurred on Wednesday, February 18.
Ibrahim Mahama, confirming the incident in a Facebook post on Thursday, February 19, described the development as a “tragic misfortune”.
He detailed that the fire occurred following ongoing repair works on the train due to the extensive rust it had accumulated over the years.
The train was part of Ghana’s oldest railway, which is no longer in operation.
According to him, the train secured nearly two years ago was the most difficult piece to acquire.
Ibrahim Mahama, in his post, wrote, “Yesterday [February 18], we had a tragic misfortune of losing one of our trains to fire due to sparks from ongoing repairs. Certainly, I am sure if a lot more care had been taken, this could have been prevented”.
“No one was injured, thankfully. Our hearts may be broken, but our spirits are as high as ever,” he stated.
He further expressed gratitude to the Ghana National Fire Service for their response.
In related news, some weeks ago, a devastating fire swept through the Anwona Market near Afful Nkwanta, destroying several shops and their contents.
Reports suggest the fire incident happened on Monday night at about 10:00 pm.
The Anwona Market fire comes barely 24 hours after a devastating fire outbreak at Sofoline Magazine.
Ghana National Fire Service personnel were deployed to the scene and worked to contain the fire. The firefighters prevented the spread of the fire to the adjoining structures and nearby properties.
Eyewitnesses revealed the blaze is believed to have started from a section of the market housing a footwear factory.
However, the official cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed.
Traders at the Anwona Market are said to have suffered significant losses as goods and equipment were reduced to ashes; no casualties have been reported so far.