A devastating fire has gutted a nine-bedroom house in Zaragoza, a community in the Kwahu West Municipality of the Eastern Region, leaving behind widespread destruction and displacing residents.

The blaze, which broke out recently, razed nine rooms and destroyed several personal belongings before it was brought under control.

Firefighters from the Kwahu West Municipal Fire Service managed to salvage six rooms, preventing further damage to the property.

Municipal Fire Commander, DO II Samuel Mante, disclosed that the fire service encountered delays in reaching the scene due to challenging road conditions.

"Our fire truck got stuck in a muddy area en route to the location, which hampered our initial response," he explained.

Initial suspicions pointed to possible arson; however, subsequent investigations confirmed that the fire originated from a charcoal-related incident.

Commander Mante used the occasion to urge residents to adopt fire safety measures, particularly when handling combustible materials like charcoal.

He emphasised the importance of public awareness and community vigilance in preventing such tragedies.

The affected families are currently receiving support from local authorities, while assessments continue to determine the full extent of the damage.