In the early hours of Thursday, November 14, a fire broke out at Odawna in Circle, destroying over 15 wooden structures used as warehouses, stores, and residences. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) reported that while firefighters arrived promptly, their efforts were hampered by limited access to the fire site.
Alex King Nartey, a member of the GNFS Public Relations team, explained that the Circle fire team responded swiftly as their station is nearby. However, the fire was located near the edge of the Odawna gutter, restricting access for the fire tender. “The fire tender could not get close to the scene, so we had a hard time maneuvering the tender to fight the fire,” he noted.
Despite these obstacles, GNFS managed to save over 200 nearby wooden structures and adjoining warehouses. Nartey confirmed that only 15 structures sustained damage in the blaze.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Nartey indicated that faulty electrical wiring, negligence, or illegal electrical connections could be possible factors.
Last year’s GNFS report recorded a total of 5,256 fire outbreaks from January to November 2023, with urban fires frequently linked to poor or illegal electricity connections, negligence, and domestic accidents.
