By Kwame Larweh

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ablekuma Central, Hon. Frank Nkansah, has vowed to support residents devastated by a massive fire that razed six homes and a Chinese-owned warehouse in the Lartebiokorshie community on Tuesday, September 8, 2025. During a visit to the affected area two days after the blaze, Hon. Nkansah distributed fire extinguishers and relief items, promising government assistance for rebuilding efforts.“We are committed to helping those who lost their homes,” the MCE told reporters, outlining plans to aid recovery in the fire-ravaged neighborhood.

The fire, which broke out around 2 p.m., is believed to have started with an explosion in a warehouse near Radio Gold, behind the Salvation Army School, possibly due to an electrical fault. Strong winds fueled the blaze, which rapidly spread to nearby homes, enveloping the densely populated area in thick smoke. Seven structures, including the warehouse and six residences, were destroyed, leaving families homeless and grappling with significant losses.Residents expressed frustration over the delayed response of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), claiming firefighters arrived nearly two hours after the fire 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 like limited water access, which required 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 advised residents in nearby areas—Salvation, Radio Gold, Appiah Dankwa, and Soko—to keep windows closed to avoid toxic fumes.The fire has sparked renewed 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.”Muhammad, Deputy NADMO Director for Ablekuma Central, described the fire as “overwhelming,” noting its scale posed significant challenges for emergency crews. Investigations into the cause are ongoing, with authorities urging calm as teams assess the damage and work to prevent further outbreaks.