The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed that a major fire outbreak on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, destroyed more than 50 wooden structures near the National Lotteries office, directly opposite the Arts Centre in Accra.
Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported.
According to an official statement posted by the GNFS on Facebook, the blaze was reported at 6:20 p.m. GMT. Firefighters from the Ministries Fire Station arrived within six minutes, but by then, the inferno had already advanced significantly.
Initial efforts to combat the flames were severely hindered by non-functional fire hydrants in the area.
This forced the GNFS to dispatch four additional engines from the Electoral Commission, Accra City, Parliament House, and Greater Accra Regional Headquarters fire stations.
Despite the setback, the blaze was brought under control by 7:00 p.m. and fully extinguished by 8:44 p.m., thanks to a swift and coordinated response by the firefighting teams.
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The affected area largely comprised of wooden kiosks and makeshift dwellings, was destroyed along with all contents.
However, adjoining properties were successfully protected from the spread of the flames.
Senior fire officers, including ACFO II Osmond Anum and Greater Accra Regional Fire Commander ACFO II Rashid Nisawu, were on site to oversee the operation.
The cause of the outbreak is still under investigation.
This incident highlights the ongoing dangers posed by Accra’s inadequate hydrant infrastructure, especially in high-density areas where poor spatial planning and flammable materials increase the risk of urban fires.
Meanwhile, the GNFS is urging city authorities to prioritise improvements to fire safety infrastructure to prevent future disasters.
