Credit: Kekeli K. Blamey
A devastating fire outbreak swept through a slum near Kissiman Junction, close to Achimota-Samodak, in the early hours of February 5, 2025, claiming the life of a four-month-old baby.
The fire, which broke out around 4:00 a.m., destroyed over 20 wooden structures used as residences, leaving many without homes. Despite the swift response of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the infant could not be saved.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire spread rapidly, fueled by strong winds and the largely wooden construction of the slum. Many residents were forced to flee their homes, leaving behind their belongings.
Firefighters from the Legon and Abelemkpe Fire Stations received the distress call at 4:12 a.m. and arrived at the scene just 12 minutes later. They worked tirelessly to contain the inferno, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings, including a warehouse.
Divisional Officer Two (DO II) Desmond E. Ackah, Head of Public Relations at the GNFS, confirmed that the firefighters brought the blaze under control at 5:02 a.m. and are currently conducting overhauling operations to completely extinguish any remaining flames.
“The firefighters did an excellent job in containing the fire and preventing it from spreading to other buildings,” DO II Ackah said.
The charred remains of the baby have been handed over to the police for further investigation, while efforts to determine the cause of the fire are ongoing.
The incident has left many residents of the slum without homes, and efforts are being made to provide them with temporary shelter and assistance.
The Ghana National Fire Service has urged residents to take precautions to prevent fires, especially in densely populated areas.
