Hundreds of residents, including lactating mothers and children, have been left stranded after a massive fire gutted a slum area at Asawase Apagyahene in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region today.

The blaze, which broke out around 5:30 a.m in one of the makeshift structures, spread rapidly through the densely populated enclave. 

More than 500 wooden structures were destroyed, wiping out personal belongings, savings, and shelter for hundreds of victims.

Firefighters responded swiftly to the scene, managing to confine the inferno and prevent it from engulfing neighbouring communities. 

While the precise cause of the fire remains under investigation by firefighters, residents suspect an electrical fault triggered the blaze.

No fatalities have been reported.

Displaced victims were seen stranded, clutching infants and salvaging what little remained of their properties. 

Many victims reported losing thousands of Ghana Cedis in cash that had been stored in their rooms ahead of the workday.

"We have lost everything to the fire, including our money. We have children, but we don't know where we are going to sleep tonight," said a lactating mother carrying her child in an interview with Kumasi FM's Elisha Adarkwah.

Individual cash losses reported by residents ranged from GHS 3,000 to GHS 5,000, leaving families without immediate funds for food, clothing, or necessities.

Displaced residents are appealing to the government and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) for urgent relief assistance, emergency shelter, and financial support.