Story By Kwame Larweh
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ablekuma Central, Hon. Frank Nkansah, has visited the fire-ravaged Lartebiokorshie community to offer support to residents reeling from a devastating blaze that destroyed six houses and a Chinese-owned warehouse.
The fire, which erupted around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2025, spread rapidly from the warehouse, leaving families homeless and sparking outrage over the delayed response of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
During his visit, Hon. Nkansah distributed fire extinguishers and relief items to affected residents, pledging government support for their recovery. “We are committed to helping those who lost their homes,” he told reporters, outlining plans to assist with rebuilding efforts.
The visit came two days after the inferno, which residents said began with an explosion in a warehouse near Radio Gold, behind the Salvation Army School—likely caused by an electrical fault. Eyewitnesses reported that the fire spread swiftly due to strong winds, engulfing nearby homes as thick smoke blanketed the densely populated neighborhood. Residents expressed frustration with the GNFS, noting that firefighters arrived around 4 p.m., nearly two hours after the blaze began.
“The fire was almost at my house,” said Kofi Mensah, a local resident. “By the time they got here, five more houses were gone. Their response was too slow.”
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Rashid Nisawu, Regional Fire Commander, defended the GNFS, stating that the first emergency call was logged at 4:15 p.m., with a fire tender dispatched within a minute and arriving by 4:24 p.m.
“We managed to confine the fire,” Nisawu said, despite challenges such as limited water access, which forced crews to travel for refills. Six fire engines were deployed, with one firefighter and a civilian injured during the operation.
ADO1 Derrick Elorm Adzokpa of the GNFS Public Relations Department, speaking via a Facebook Live broadcast, confirmed that five fire pumps were dispatched, with three actively engaged. He urged residents in nearby areas—including Salvation, Radio Gold, Appiah Dankwa, and Soko—to keep their windows closed to avoid toxic fumes.
The fire’s rapid spread has raised concerns about warehouse safety in residential areas. “This isn’t the first fire here,” said Ama Serwah, a local shop owner. “We need stricter rules for these warehouses.”
The blaze destroyed seven structures, including the warehouse and six homes, leaving a significant emotional and financial toll. Muhammad, Deputy NADMO Director for Ablekuma Central, described the fire as “overwhelming,” noting that its scale posed significant challenges despite GNFS efforts.
Investigations into the cause are ongoing, with authorities calling for calm as emergency teams assess the damage and work to prevent further outbreaks.
