A massive fire swept through several wooden structures in Agbogbloshie, Accra, late Sunday night, November 24, leaving widespread destruction but no loss of life. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) received the distress call at 9:38 pm, prompting the deployment of two fire tenders from the Accra City and Circle Fire Stations.
Firefighters arrived at the scene by 9:48 pm, but the blaze had already spread uncontrollably due to the flammable nature of the makeshift wooden structures. Assistant Division Officer Alex King Nartey, speaking via a GNFS Facebook livestream, revealed that firefighters faced significant challenges, including restricted access to the scene.
“Accessibility was a problem. Even to get to the scene was a very big problem for the team,” Nartey stated. Despite these obstacles, the team managed to contain the fire by 12:54 am, with full extinguishment achieved by 1:38 am—nearly four hours after the initial report.
The fire, which razed homes and businesses, resulted in the total loss of belongings for many affected residents. The structures, primarily built with flammable materials, offered little resistance to the flames, exacerbating the destruction.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire while emphasizing the need for improved fire safety measures in high-risk areas like Agbogbloshie. The incident highlights the vulnerabilities faced by residents living in such densely populated and poorly constructed settlements.