The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has reported a major surge in emergency operations, disclosing that its personnel rescued more than 470 people and responded to numerous critical incidents over three days as heavy rains, fire outbreaks, and structural failures caused widespread disruption across Accra, Tema, and surrounding communities.
According to the Service, firefighters and rescue teams were placed on heightened alert from Sunday, June 28, to Tuesday, June 30, during which they tackled a series of emergencies ranging from domestic and commercial fires to severe flooding, a fuel tanker blaze, fallen trees, and a building collapse.
The coordinated response, carried out in collaboration with other national emergency agencies, resulted in the safe evacuation or rescue of 479 individuals.
Despite the extensive rescue efforts, the operations were marked by tragedy. Five people lost their lives during the period, one person sustained injuries, and another individual remains missing following flood-related incidents in the Tema area.
Early fire incidents on Sunday
The emergency response began on Sunday, June 28, with two separate fire outbreaks recorded in Accra. The first occurred at Lartebiokorshie, where personnel from the Industrial Area Fire Station responded swiftly to a domestic fire at approximately 8:31 a.m.
Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within 25 minutes, fully extinguishing it by 9:29 a.m. The fire destroyed one room and its contents, but responders successfully prevented it from spreading to adjoining spaces, saving a connected room and hall. No casualties were reported.
Later that same day, at 12:49 p.m., the Trade Fair Fire Station received a distress call reporting a commercial fire at Labadi Kojo Sardine. Firefighters quickly arrived at the scene and brought the fire under control by 1:17 p.m. The incident, which partially damaged a metal container and its contents, is believed to have been triggered by an overcharged solar panel battery, according to preliminary investigations. Again, no injuries or fatalities were recorded.
Fuel tanker fire at Asutuare Junction
In a more severe incident, firefighters battled a burning fuel tanker at Asutuare Junction. Four fire tenders were deployed to combat the intense blaze, which was eventually brought under control at 6:03 a.m. before being fully extinguished.
The tanker and its contents were destroyed. One person sustained injuries and was transported to the hospital for treatment, while another individual lost their life in the incident. Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire, and investigations are ongoing.
Massive flood response
On Monday, June 29, following hours of torrential rainfall that triggered widespread flooding across parts of Greater Accra and Tema, the GNFS intensified its rescue operations in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service Marine Unit, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and the Ghana Armed Forces.
One of the most significant rescue efforts took place at Tse-Ado Last Stop in Accra, where joint emergency teams successfully evacuated 105 people who had been trapped by rising floodwaters. The rescued individuals included 40 women, 20 men, and 45 children, all of whom were safely relocated.
In the Tema Region, firefighters responded to 23 separate emergency incidents within 24 hours. These included six fire outbreaks, eight flood-related emergencies, and seven cases involving fallen trees obstructing roads and properties.
Rescue teams managed to save 12 individuals directly trapped in floodwaters and assisted more than 50 residents to safety in Tema Newtown. However, tragedy struck when a female trader was reported missing after being swept away by floodwaters near the Tema Community One Market. Search efforts are still ongoing.
Building Collapse at Tabora
On the same day, emergency responders also attended to a structural collapse at Tabora No. 6 in Accra, where a four-storey building gave way. Fortunately, all 12 occupants had safely evacuated before the collapse occurred, preventing what could have been a major loss of life. The GNFS confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were recorded in the incident.
Continued flood rescue operations
By the early hours of Tuesday, June 30, firefighters had extended and completed large-scale rescue operations in the Adabraka–Odawna corridor, one of the hardest-hit flood zones in the capital. During these operations, more than 300 people were rescued from rising waters and safely evacuated to secure locations.
However, the flooding in this area resulted in the deaths of four individuals—three males and one female—despite the rapid response efforts of emergency teams.
Fire at Odawna rubber market
In addition to flood-related emergencies, firefighters also contained a major fire outbreak at the Odawna Rubber Market near Kwame Nkrumah Circle. The blaze destroyed several structures within the market but was prevented from spreading to adjacent properties due to the swift intervention of the GNFS. No casualties were recorded in the market fire. A fire appliance has since been stationed at the scene to monitor the area and guard against any potential re-ignition.
Summary of three-day operations
In its overall assessment of the three-day emergency response period, the Ghana National Fire Service confirmed that a total of 479 people were rescued or safely evacuated across multiple incidents.
The Service recorded five fatalities in total—four from flooding and one from the fuel tanker fire. One person sustained injuries, while all occupants of the collapsed building survived. One individual remains missing following floodwaters in Tema.
The GNFS described the period as one of its most intense recent emergency responses, underscoring the combined challenges of extreme weather conditions and fire-related hazards that stretched emergency services across multiple locations in the Greater Accra Region.
