The GNFS received the distress call at 1:17 a.m., with the first team of firefighters arriving on site just four minutes later at 1:21 a.m.

Seven fire engines were deployed from key stations across the capital, including Accra City, the Regional Headquarters Substation, Ministries, Circle, National Headquarters, Abelemkpe, and Legon. They were supported by a GNFS water tanker as well as two additional tankers from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and Ablekuma Municipal Assembly.

The inferno, which destroyed several shops dealing in wooden planks and hardware materials, was eventually contained after hours of intense firefighting. The flames were confined at 6:26 a.m., brought under control by 6:37 a.m., and fully extinguished by 11:44 a.m.

Two firefighters sustained injuries in the operation—one from an electric shock and another from burns to the left arm. Both were treated and discharged, and are reported to be in stable condition.

The quick response helped protect nearby structures, including the Ayalolo cluster of schools, from the fire.

Acting Chief Fire Officer, Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong, visited the scene to assess the damage and encourage her officers. She was accompanied by Deputy Director of Operations, ACFO II Osmond Anum, Greater Accra Regional Commander, ACFO II Rashid Kwame Nisawu, and other senior officers who oversaw coordination.

The GNFS has commended all supporting agencies for their collaboration, while investigations are underway to establish the cause of the fire.

Source: Adomonline

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The minister made this announcement during the national observance of International Firefighters’ Day, held at the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) headquarters in Accra.

The event, marked by solemn reflection and spirited celebration, honoured the bravery and sacrifice of Ghanaian firefighters.

“We are witnessing a disturbing increase in attacks on our firefighters, with twelve reported cases last year alone, up from eight the year before,” the minister revealed. “These attacks, ranging from physical assaults to the vandalism of firefighting equipment, are a direct threat to national safety. This cannot and will not be tolerated.”

Communities identified as hotspots for these attacks include Konongo-Odumase, Kumasi-Moshie Zongo, Atebubu, Labadi, and Dansoman.

In total, 21 firefighters sustained serious injuries in 2024, including broken limbs, deep cuts, and trauma. Equipment destruction has also hampered timely emergency responses.

To counter this, the Interior Minister pledged to work closely with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to deploy a dedicated task force that will accompany GNFS crews into volatile areas.

“This special security task force will ensure that no firefighter ever responds to an emergency in fear for their life,” Hon. Muntaka said, emphasizing that the government will not allow those who protect the nation to become victims of senseless violence.

The announcement aligns with this year’s theme: “Appreciating Our Heroes: Say No to Firefighter Assault and Firefighting Truck Vandalism.” The minister’s remarks urged not only security action but also a moral awakening among citizens.

“This is a national call to action,” he said. “Religious leaders, traditional authorities, and civil society must condemn these attacks. No firefighter should ever be harmed for answering a call to save lives.”

As part of broader reforms, the Interior Ministry also pledged to collaborate with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to expand fire station coverage nationwide and expedite the provision of modern equipment, including drones, rapid intervention vehicles, and firefighting aircraft.

The event also celebrated the appointment of Acting Chief Fire Officer Daniella Mawusi Ntow-Sapong, Ghana’s first female fire chief, who was praised for implementing effective night patrols and intensifying public safety education.

As Muntaka concluded: “Today is a day of recommitment—a promise by the government to support our firefighters, and by society to protect those who protect us. Firefighters are not just responders; they are national heroes.”

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“Shouting does not quench fire,” but “Why did you lie that you have enough water in the tank?” These were the key phrases making headlines as tensions flared between the Minister and the institution responsible for managing the crisis while the fire raged in Adum on Friday.

A catastrophic blaze broke out on Friday, ravaging over 5,000 shops and leaving widespread destruction in its wake. The fire, which started in the early hours, continued unabated until it was eventually brought under control by Sunday morning. The scene was one of chaos, confusion, and intense frustration, particularly among those trying to mitigate the disaster.

Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister, became a focal point in a highly publicized confrontation with the fire service team on the ground. The Minister, visibly upset and frustrated by the slow response to the fire, confronted fire service officials with harsh criticisms.

His accusations centered around the lack of water in a fire truck that was meant to assist in controlling the flames.

In a video that quickly went viral on social media, the Minister is seen approaching the fire service personnel and, in an agitated tone, demanding to know why they had not been able to control the blaze sooner. He repeatedly shouted at the operatives, accusing them of misleading him about their preparedness to tackle the inferno.

“Why did you lie to me? You told me you had enough water, so why is this tank empty? Move it out of here!” he was heard saying.

The Minister’s emotional outburst, captured on video, sparked widespread attention, with many expressing concern over the apparent lack of professionalism in the exchange. The image of the Regional Minister openly clashing with fire service personnel only added to the confusion and tension of the situation.

Fire Service Response

In the aftermath, the Ghana National Fire Service issued a statement in response to the Minister’s actions. The Ashanti Regional Fire Commander, ACFO Peter Tetteh, condemned the Minister’s behavior, labeling it as disrespectful, demoralizing, and unfair.

Meanwhile, Alex Nartey, a member of the GNFS Public Relations department, earlier criticized the Minister for his remarks, stating, “Shouting doesn’t quench fire.”

Apologies All Around

As the dust continues to settle, both Dr. Frank Amoakohene and the Ghana National Fire Service are calling for unqualified apologies from each other, while traders in the area continue to assess their losses.

The Minister, in particular, found Alex Nartey’s response harsh and unjustified, demanding a public apology. In turn, the GNFS explained that, contrary to the Minister’s claims, their standard operating procedure dictates that at least one fire truck be left off the scene to replenish with water, and thus, it was correct for the truck to be stationed there even without water at the time.

The fire service is now also calling for the Minister to issue an unqualified apology to the firefighters involved.

The Debate

This confrontation has ignited a broader debate. Some argue that the Minister’s frustration stemmed from the urgency of the situation, as he witnessed the scale of the destruction and felt the need to act swiftly. Others, however, contend that his public outburst was unproductive, creating an environment of discord rather than fostering a collaborative effort to tackle the crisis.

What Needs to Be Done?

The tragic fire at Adum has highlighted the vulnerability of local businesses and underscored the urgent need for more robust emergency response systems and greater preparedness. While the fire was eventually extinguished, the conflict between the Minister and the Ghana National Fire Service serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in managing such emergencies.

The incident has also raised serious concerns about the fire service’s equipment and readiness. There is a growing call for the GNFS to be properly resourced with the necessary tools and supplies to effectively combat fires.

Many have suggested that in a country where many areas are difficult to access, the introduction of fire helicopters could help prevent future catastrophes and ensure a more rapid response in emergencies.

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According to the report, this is the third time they have been nearly attacked for responding late to a fire outbreak within the municipality.

Speaking to Adom News, the Konongo Divisional Fire Service Commander, DOII Joe Bryden, stated that they received a distress call from Odumasi Suntreso.

However, they could not respond swiftly because their fire tender had broken down and had not been functional for about two months.

As a result, they had to call the Ejisu Fire Station for assistance.

Upon arrival, the angry mob began yelling and pelting stones at them, causing damage to the windscreen, headlights, and other parts of the fire tender.

The Konongo Odumasi Fire Station, located in the Asante Akyem Central Municipality, serves four other nearby districts in the Ashanti Region.

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The incident occurred while the firefighters were responding to an emergency.

Seven crew members were injured in the accident.

Five of them are currently receiving treatment at Akwatia St. Dominic’s Hospital, while two others are in critical condition at the Kade Government Hospital.

Fortunately, one crew member escaped unhurt.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) extended their thoughts and prayers to the injured firefighters and their families.

The Service commended their bravery and wished them a speedy recovery.

The GNFS remains committed to serving the public and ensuring the safety and well-being of its personnel.

This announcement comes after an incident on Saturday, February 10, in Konongo, where angry residents assaulted some fire officers for responding late to a fire scene, resulting in the destruction of a fire engine.

The GNFS Public Relations Officer ADO 1, Alex King Nartey, in ,an interview on Citi TV disclosed that outdated equipment significantly contributes to delays in response times.

He stressed that, majority of fire engines are between 15 to 20-years old, highlighting the worrisome nature of the situation.

“The unfortunate thing is that we always say that our logistics are very lacking. Most of our fire tenders are between 15, getting to 20 years old, a very worrying situation. As I speak to you now, Kasoa and Weija, their tender fighting is out of commission so if there’s any fire at Kasoa, the appliance will either have to move from Anyaa or Budumburam, that’s very bad.

“So it means that if there is any fire within the Budumburam area, and one of the Budumburam probably attended to that fire, it means we have to call a much further appliance probably from Dansoman to attend to it. So you see the little appliances that we have left, we are trying to salvage it.”

“So it becomes very appalling when they turn to put their frustration on us. So what we are deciding to do is to embark on a boycott of areas that are known to always want to attack our men because as we speak, a few days after this report was made, another attack happened to our men at Ahafo. Three or Four have been hospitalized, and I’m even hearing at Nkawie, another issue has happened,” he said.

Mr. Nartey called on government to buy new equipment and advocated for the establishment of additional fire stations in communities.

He further urged Assembly members to actively participate in educating residents about fire safety to tackle the underlying issues causing these challenges.

The incident occurred at midnight on Saturday, January 14, 2022.

The victims were part of a team who were fighting a heavy fire involving a single dual-use structure containing two rooms used for dwelling and electronic service workshop at East Tanokrom in Takoradi.

The flame-bathed single dual-use structure eventually gave in as a result of the protracted intense heat it suffered and collapsed on the duo front-line firefighters, crashing their helmets and injuring them on their heads, upper and lower limbs.

Eyewitnesses said the fire started at about 10:00 pm but the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) was informed at 11:28 pm.

Firefighters got to the fire scene at 11:41 pm to meet an already advanced heavy fire in the two affected rooms.

In a statement, GNFS noted despite the injuries of the two Firefighters, the remaining crew members directly fought the fierce fire and brought it under control at 11:59 pm and finally knocked it out at 12:12 am.

The fire, which cause is yet to be established, completely destroyed the rooms and their contents.

The two Firefighters were also initially sent to the Kwesimintsim Polyclinic for medical treatment.

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One of the Firefighters who was treated and discharged from the Kwesimintim Polyclinic is recuperating well.

The other Firefighter who was in critical condition was transported from the Effia Nkwanta Hospital to the 37 Military Hospital for further medical treatment on Monday, January 16, 2023.

The Feuerwehr Worms Fire Department said in a Facebook post that firefighters responded Friday to a hospital in the appropriately named city of Worms after a man at a local gym ended up with a dumbbell disc stuck around his penis.

The firefighters said it took them about three hours to break through the 5.5-pound weight using tools including a grinder and a hydraulic saw.

The post included a photo of the dumbbell weight broken into five pieces.

“Please do not imitate such actions!” the Facebook post said.