Gambiaj.com – (BRIKAMA, The Gambia) – The Chairman of the Brikama Area Council (BAC), Yankuba Darboe, has announced plans to investigate the cause of a recent fire incident in Brikama Market and implement stricter fire prevention measures to enhance safety.

Chairman Darboe emphasized that the council will conduct routine inspections to ensure that store owners use proper electrical meters, addressing concerns about faulty and illegal electrical connections that have contributed to past market fires.

“If we know the cause of the fire, we can put safety measures in place. In 2023, around the magistrate court, there was a fire. We later realized it was caused by the NAWEC meter, but NAWEC said many people were making illegal connections and using faulty electrical setups. We later advised the people,” he explained.

As part of the council’s response, Chairman Darboe pledged that the reconstruction of the Sandika section of Brikama Market will incorporate improved fire safety measures. This will include ensuring adequate spacing between shops to prevent rapid fire spread and installing high-quality electricity meters.

“When we rebuild the Sandika, we will ensure that shops have sufficient space so that fire does not quickly transfer from one shop to another. Spacing is one of our biggest challenges in Brikama because people tend to occupy tiny spaces just to sell, and those small spaces make it easier for fire to spread. But if you have big spaces, fire will not transfer as easily,” he stated.

He further assured that all newly constructed shops in the market will be built with fire prevention in mind.

“All the new shops we’ve built have proper spacing and are not close to each other, which helps to prevent fire. If the fire is caused by electricity, we will ensure that good-quality electricity meters are installed. Some may find these meters expensive, but if a shop catches fire, the loss will be much greater than the cost of a good electricity meter. Having reliable meters will prevent future fire outbreaks,” he added.

The council’s initiative comes as part of broader efforts to enhance safety in Brikama Market, following repeated fire incidents that have devastated businesses and livelihoods.