Some of the destroyed shops
A FIRE outbreak has ravaged the area behind the VVIP Station at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, destroying over 50 shops that served as warehouses for phone accessories and other goods.
According to reports, the incident which occurred yesterday, started at 10 a.m., destroying a number of shops, which prompted the intervention of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
The fire also affected other structures serving as homes and food vending points in the busy commercial area, forcing occupants and traders to flee as the flames spread.
According to eyewitness Jessica, who spoke to Joy News, “Before I could shout, the fire had already spread, and ordinary water couldn’t put it out. You understand, people, warehouses – even some of my own warehouses were affected. Goods and property of people, gone in under a minute. Even the Fire Service behind us couldn’t come in time to quench the fire.”
Other witnesses revealed that the outbreak was triggered by reckless activities, including cooking in the area.
According to them, the poor structural layout and tightly packed containers hindered access for fire tenders, while flammable materials such as gas cylinders and batteries intensified the blaze.
Details regarding the exact cause of the fire, the full extent of the damage, and whether any injuries were recorded remain unclear.
However, some affected shop owners at the scene suggested the blaze may have been caused by an electrical fault.
Officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly have been at the scene assessing the damage and coordinating relief efforts.
The Ghana National Fire Service stated in a press release that they had successfully contained and extinguished the fire.
According to the statement, five fire appliances were deployed from the Industrial Area, Accra City, Ministries, Flagstaff House, and Parliament House Fire Stations, with the first crew from the Industrial Area Fire Station arriving promptly within five minutes at the scene.
Two water tankers from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the Ghana Immigration Service also supported operations to ensure continuous water supply.
The statement further disclosed that the fire, which involved an unspecified number of wooden and metallic structures used for commercial and residential purposes, was brought under control at 12:11 p.m. and fully extinguished at 1:14 p.m.
“One civilian and one firefighter experienced minor smoke inhalation during the firefighting operation but have since fully recovered and are in stable condition.
“Although an unspecified number of makeshift structures and their contents, including mobile phones and accessories, electronic devices, food items, clothing, and assorted goods were destroyed, firefighters successfully salvaged the Royal VVIP Bus Terminal, a nearby Goil Filling Station, and several shops around Tip Toe Lane, averting a major disaster,” part of the statement read.
It further indicated that the firefighting efforts were challenged by congestion and accessibility constraints, illegal electrical connections that required power isolation by Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), and the absence of functional fire hydrants in the area, which necessitated water replenishment from Farisco and the frontage of the GRA Circle office.
Prince Fiifi YorkeÂ