The fire, which broke out around 1000 hours on Tuesday, was believed to have started from a kiosk near the station, with preliminary indications pointing to an electrical fault from overloaded power lines on a nearby pole.
As the fire spread rapidly through the closely packed wooden structures, affected persons were seen salvaging fridges, mattresses, cooking utensils and sacks of goods, while others looked on helplessly as their property was destroyed.
Some traders were seen in tears, while others shouted for help as the blaze intensified, fuelled by gas cylinders, refrigerators and other flammable materials stored in the kiosks.
Although more than 50 makeshift shops and dwellings were destroyed, no casualties were recorded.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) deployed five fire tenders, supported by a private water tanker, drawing water from hydrants at the Ghana Revenue Authority office and the GNFS Headquarters to contain the fire.
Madam Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, the Chief Fire Officer, told the media that the Service received the distress call at 1027 hours and responded promptly.
“We arrived with five fire appliances, and additional water tankers from the Assembly and Immigration Service supported our operations. We will engage the Assembly to address the proliferation of wooden structures in the area. Preliminary information suggests the fire started from one of these structures,” she said.
Mr Michael Kpakpo Allotey, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, commended the GNFS for its swift response, saying it prevented the fire from spreading to the main transport terminal.
“Over 50 structures have been destroyed, but the fire service did an excellent job to contain it. We will clear the site and ensure proper redevelopment to prevent future occurrences,” he said.
Mr Allotey added that initial assessments by the Fire Service suggested the blaze might have started from an overloaded electric pole.
Mr Dennis Nartey Adjarnor, the Greater Accra Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), said the affected area was not designated for residential or commercial use.
He said the land had originally been earmarked as a garden under the Circle Interchange redevelopment plan but had been encroached upon and converted into informal settlements and trading spaces.
“Though the fire has caused distress, it presents an opportunity for authorities to reclaim the land and restore it to its original purpose,” Mr Adjarnor said.
Madam Vida Amehogbe, an eyewitness, said the fire might have originated from a refrigerator in one of the kiosks.
“After taking my bath, I perceived a strong burning smell, like rubber. I alerted the caretaker of the public toilet, and together we traced it to a kiosk. That’s when we saw the refrigerator sparking,” she said.
Another eyewitness said residents initially underestimated the fire until it spread rapidly through the clustered structures.
“By the time we realised how serious it was, the fire had already spread. The fridges and gas cylinders made it worse. Access was also difficult because the place is a slum,” the eyewitness said.
The Ghana National Fire Service has commenced investigations to determine the exact cause of the fire.
GNA
