A tragic fire outbreak at Kpone Kokompe farms in the Greater Accra Region has claimed the lives of four people, who were burnt beyond recognition.
The victims include a 27-year-old man, a 14-year-old girl, an 11-year-old boy, and a two-year-old baby.
The fire, which broke out around 11:20 pm on September 12, also destroyed 10 wooden structures. Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded to the incident, successfully dousing the flames. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
Divisional Officer (DOIII) Matthew Kumi, second in command at the Devtracco Fire Station, told the Ghana News Agency that they received a distress call at 11:28 pm and arrived at the scene at 11:47 pm. Reinforcements were called due to the extent of the fire, and it was fully extinguished by 12:55 am.
While the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, it was discovered that the victims had stored motorcycles, gas, and other items that likely contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
DOIII Kumi urged the public to install smoke detectors, fire alarms, and fire extinguishers in their homes to help prevent such tragedies. He also warned against illegal electrical connections, which are often linked to fire outbreaks.
“The Fire Service is always available, so do not hesitate to call or reach out to us using the emergency numbers 112 and 192 when there is an emergency,” Kumi emphasized.
Mr. Gideon Bolgla, one of the fire victims, recounted how he and his family were asleep when the fire broke out. They escaped with their lives but lost all their belongings. He appealed to stakeholders for assistance in rebuilding their lives. Another victim, Mr. Augustine Hevi, also called on local authorities, including the Member of Parliament and the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly, to provide shelter for the affected families.
In a statement on social media, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) expressed condolences to the bereaved families and the victims of the disaster. The Tema Regional Fire Commander, ACFO II Patrick Sallah, visited the affected victims to offer support and assess the damage. The GNFS reiterated the importance of fire safety measures, noting that investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.