The Public Affairs Director of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Ellis Robinson Okoe has disclosed that, some traders and pedestrians who offered their help in putting out the fire which gutted the Liberty House branch of the Ghana Commercial Branch last Saturday, had the intention of stealing from the bank.
He said, the agitations of these traders and pedestrians were because the men of the Service did not allow them to perpetuate their criminal intentions but rather called the Ghana Police Service for assistance.
The Ghana National Fire Service were accused by traders for reporting late to the scene of the fire, even after several distress calls.
Mr Okoe responded to this accusation by saying “they were not satisfied because we called in the police to help.
“They wanted to steal but we called in the police and that is why [the traders and pedestrians] are accusing us that we did not get there early.”
As of midday of Saturday, there were about six fire tenders at the scene as personnel tried to contain the spread of the fire from getting to other parts of the building.
Officers from the Ghana Police Service barricaded the road leading to the area to help create a free working space for men of the GNFS to quench the fire.
Fire engulfed the GCB Bank Liberty House branch in the Central Business District of Accra, in the mornings of Saturday, 28th November 2020. The cause of the fire which started from the first floor of the seven-storey building is still unknown according to the Ghana National Fire Service.
The bank also debunked fears that monies were burnt in the course of the fire. In a public notice released by the bank, it said, cash is not kept at the floor which was affected by the fire hence, assured customers to keep calm as their monies are safe.
However, the bank wishes to inform it’s customers of the closure of branch from Monday, November 30, 2020. Time for reopening of the branch was however not stated.
Customers of the bank have been advised to visit Kantamanto, Okaishie, Makola, Republic House, High Street, Boundary Road, Ministries and any GCB Bank Branch of their choice or make use of alternate channels including internet banking, GCB Mobile banking, ATMs and G-Money Mobile Wallet.
In a statement signed by the Head of Corporate Affairs, Emmanuel Kojo Kwarteng on behalf of the Managing Diector of GBC, Mr. Kofi Adomah said, the closure of the branch is to help determine the cause of the fire and extent of damage as well.
