An unattended rubbish fire has been identified as the cause of a massive inferno that swept through parts of the Accra Timber Market in the early hours of Saturday, September 13, 2025. The blaze destroyed several shops and injured two firefighters.
The Greater Accra Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), ACFO II Rashid Kwame Nisawu, confirmed that a man suspected of igniting the fire has been arrested. He explained that plainclothed officers deployed during the firefighting operation gathered intelligence that led to the suspect’s arrest. The individual is currently in custody at the James Town Police Station.
According to GNFS, the fire started near the Ayalolo School at 1:17 a.m. and quickly spread across the market, consuming shops stocked with wooden planks and hardware. In response, seven fire engines, a GNFS water tanker, and two additional tankers from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the Ablekuma Municipal Assembly were mobilized to contain the flames.
The firefighting operation, which lasted several hours, successfully prevented the fire from engulfing nearby structures, including the Ayalolo cluster of schools. By 6:37 a.m., the blaze was under control, but it was not fully extinguished until 11:44 a.m.
Two firefighters sustained injuries—one from an electric shock and another from burns to the arm. Both have since been treated and discharged. ACFO II Nisawu commended the team’s swift response and resilience in containing the fire.
The incident highlights the dangers of careless waste burning and the need for greater public responsibility to prevent such disasters.
Author: Jasmine Adjei
Development journalist
