Kwame Nkrumah Circle Engulfed by Inferno
A devastating fire outbreak swept through the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, destroying about 50 shops and leaving traders in despair. The blaze, which broke out behind the VVIP Station, was reportedly sparked by an electrical fault in one of the kiosks.
According to the Ghana National Fire Service, firefighters battled the inferno for several hours, with water supply challenges hindering their efforts. Assistant Fire Officer Rashid Kwame Esau stated that five fire engines, including a private tanker, were deployed to the scene, and personnel worked tirelessly to contain the fire.
The fire gutted shops selling phone accessories and other merchandise, with some structures serving as homes and food vending points also affected. Traders lamented the loss of goods stored in warehouses, some of which were stocked for wholesale distribution. One affected trader, a Nigerian woman, broke down in tears, saying, “I sell laundry. I sell everything. Everything has become dust. It’s only this cloth that is on my body [left]. Oh Jesus! All of my labor. I’ve been here for 10 years.”
The Ghana National Fire Service has assured the public that investigations will be conducted to establish the exact cause of the outbreak and guide future preventive measures. The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Klotey Korle Municipal Assembly are assessing the damage and coordinating relief efforts.
The incident has raised concerns about fire safety in the area, with many shops and structures densely packed together. The fire service has urged the public to exercise caution and avoid the area until the situation is fully stabilised.
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Author: Korkor Anumu
