A fire incident has destroyed a Benz cargo truck transporting over 2,500 bags of rice from Côte d’Ivoire to Kumasi on the Adugyama-Bechem highway, near the Star Oil Filling Station, on Monday, August 25.
This was revealed on Facebook by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) on Monday, August 25.
According to the Ghana National Fire Service, it immediately arrived at the scene at 5:40 am after receiving an emergency call at 4:53 am from the Tepa Fire Station.
However, the crew managed to bring the fire under control by 6:40 am, preventing further destruction.
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“A Benz Cargo Truck with registration number GT-1350-U, carrying over 2500 bags of rice from Cote d’Ivoire to Kumasi, was involved in a fire incident on the Adugyama-Bechem highway near Star Oil Filling Station at Adugyama.
The Tepa Fire Station received a distress call at 0453hrs and dispatched a crew of five led by ADOII Heneampong Williams.
The crew arrived at the scene at 0540hrs and quickly tackled the fire, bringing it under control at 0640hrs and finally extinguishing it at 0813hrs.
“Despite the driver’s mate sustaining a minor injury, the firefighters managed to salvage over 600 bags of rice.
The truck sustained major damage; the cause of the fire is under investigation. The crew returned to base at 1110hrs after successfully containing the situation,” parts of the post read.
The team arrived at the scene .
Last month, a popular pub and food joint at Nogora Junction, near the Ho Technical University, was reduced to ashes following a fire outbreak on Wednesday, August 13.
On August 4, a fire incident destroyed the first floor of the Accra Tourist Information Centre located at Cantonments. According to the Ghana National Fire Service, the fire destroyed the contents on the first floor.
However, the ground floor and about 8 offices, including the East Wing section of the ground floor, were successfully salvaged from the fire’s ruins.
The first fire engine from the Ghana National Fire Service National Headquarters arrived on the scene at 0104 hours to a fully developed stage fire, which was spreading rapidly in all directions, aided by strong winds.
Five additional fire appliances from the Flagstaff House, Circle, Accra City, Ministries Fire Stations, and the Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV) from Headquarters were swiftly mobilized to support firefighting operations.
Although the blaze was brought under control at 0332 hours, rigorous firefighting efforts continued to fully suppress the flames and prevent further spread to adjoining properties at 0635 hours.
No injuries were recorded during the fire incident. The Service has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.
An inferno destroyed several makeshift wooden and metal structures used for both commercial and residential purposes at Madina Washing Bay near Redco Flat on Sunday evening, August 3.
The blaze destroyed utility poles, traders’ wares, personal belongings, and an unspecified number of structures worth several thousand cedis, according to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS). In a Facebook post, the Fire Service noted that while battling the inferno, one of its firefighters sustained a minor leg injury.
The Ghana National Fire Service noted that it received the distress call at 12:36 hours and responded swiftly, with the first crew from Madina Fire Station arriving within 4 minutes at 12:40 hours to confront the fully developed fire.
Also, four (4) fire engines from Legon, Abelempke, and GNFS Headquarters joined the operation to contain the blaze. According to the GNFS, thanks to the timely and coordinated efforts, the fire was confined at 13:42 hours and fully brought under control at 13:54 hours.
Overhaul operations continued until 20:50 hours, with firefighters salvaging multiple adjoining structures and their contents. Investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway, according to the Ghana National Fire Service.
Last month, a fire outbreak occurred at Madina Ritz Junction. It was earlier reported that a 2-month-old baby died as a result of the fire incident. However, GNFS, in a Facebook post on July 17, said that after engaging with some victims, particularly women, they confirmed that no lives were lost.
“A verification team was dispatched to the scene this morning, and after engaging affected residents, particularly the women, and a Unit Committee Member of the area, the Service can confirm that no lives were lost.”
The Fire Service has thus entreated the public and media outlets to “disregard any reports suggesting otherwise, as they are inaccurate and misleading,” adding that it remains firmly committed to public safety, emergency responsiveness, and transparent communication.”
The fire began after a gas explosion in one of the shops and quickly spread to adjacent containers, consuming everything in its path.
The incident, which involved multiple wooden structures used for both residential and commercial purposes, was fully contained through the swift and professional response of firefighters from the Madina, Legon, and Abelemkpe Fire Stations.
An investigation by the Service was launched to ascertain the cause of the fire, which destroyed several properties. It has yet to be reported what caused the fire.
In April this year, a raging fire ripped through the Madina Redco Flats area, reducing more than 150 structures to ashes and claiming the life of a young Nigerian woman.
The inferno, which began around 11:15 p.m., rapidly spread across 140 wooden kiosks and 20 metal containers that served as homes and business outlets. Though firefighters from the Madina Fire Station arrived on the scene within two minutes, the blaze had already intensified.
One fatality was recorded—a Nigerian woman affectionately known in the area as Beauty. Believed to be in her early twenties, she was trapped in her room and could not escape. Her charred remains were retrieved and handed over to the Madina Police for preservation and further investigation.
Last year, about 50 stalls got burnt to ashes after the Madina Market in Accra caught fire. Deputy Director of Operations at the Ghana National Fire Service, D.O.1. Kofi Forson, who engaged the media, recounted the challenges the firefighters faced in quenching the flame.
“It was not easy for us, and there was a lack of access to where the fire was spreading, and because it happened in the night, the shops were closed, and we had to break through, and that made it tedious,” he said.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has provided statistics on fire outbreaks so far this year. There has been a slight increase in fire cases nationwide in the first half of 2025.
A comparison of data from January to June last year and that of this year’s first six months indicates that Ghana recorded 3,595 fire cases.
According to the Ghana National Fire Service, that is about 19 more cases than the 3,576 cases recorded during the same time in 2024, a sharp increase in cases representing a 0.53% rise.The monthly breakdown of fire cases reported this year is as follows: January (964), February (678), March (619), April (483), May (457), and June (394).
The Greater Accra Region recorded the highest number of fire incidents, with 628 cases, followed by the Ashanti Region with 581 cases and the Central Region with 408. The North East Region reported the lowest number of incidents—just 10.
During an interview on Tuesday, July 8, the Head of Public Relations at the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Desmond Ackah, revealed that due to their improved and swift response to fire cases, they have been able to save over GHC203 million worth of property in the last two quarters of 2025.
Below are the top causes of fire incidents, according to the Ghana National Fire Service. Electrical faults can result from illegal connections, poor wiring, and overloading of circuits.
Improper use of electrical appliances, such as overused extension cords and unattended devices.Unattended cooking, especially with gas, electric, or coal-based stoves.
Careless use of naked flames like candles, mosquito coils, lighters, and matches.Gas leakages and poor handling of LPG cylinders. Bush and vegetation burning, particularly during the dry season. Vehicle fires are due to poor maintenance and road accidents.
Unsafe welding and other hot-work practices. Deliberate acts of arson. Meanwhile, GNFS has reported a significant improvement in the fight against prank calls.
The Service recorded a dramatic 34.77% reduction in prank calls, having recorded about 364,020 prank calls in the first half of 2024, as against 237,470 in 2025.
The Service attributed the reduction in prank calls to consistent public education campaigns and increased awareness of the legal consequences of misusing emergency lines.
