A late-night fire has destroyed several shops and residential structures around the Police Station traffic light in Koforidua in the Eastern Region, leaving business owners and residents counting their losses.
The fire reportedly started around 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from a residential room on the upper floor of a one-storey building before spreading through the structure.
Several businesses, including Mama Pee Shop, Show Boy Shop and an alcohol and wine shop, were affected as the flames intensified.
The fire also spread to adjoining residential structures, destroying property and belongings in the process.
By Sunday morning, some of the affected shop owners had returned to the scene to salvage whatever items remained after the blaze.
One firefighter sustained injuries while battling the fire and was subsequently taken to the Eastern Regional Hospital for treatment.
The incident has also renewed concerns among residents about the state of emergency firefighting infrastructure in Koforidua.
Residents called for the Ghana National Fire Service to be better equipped, particularly with functioning fire tenders, to improve its ability to respond quickly to major fire outbreaks.
According to residents, difficulties with the availability of a properly functioning fire tender in Koforidua affected the initial response to the fire.
Fire tenders from Suhum and other nearby communities were reportedly deployed to support efforts to bring the blaze under control.
Residents said the incident underscores the need to strengthen emergency response capacity in the city to reduce delays when major fires occur.
Man feared dead found alive
Amid the destruction, the incident took an emotional turn after a man who was initially feared to have died in the fire was later found alive.
The man, identified as Richard Kofi Ofori, was reportedly believed to have been asleep in a room on the upper floor of the building when the fire broke out.
Initial reports suggested that he had been trapped inside the building and may have been killed by the fire. However, he was later found alive, triggering jubilation among relatives and residents gathered at the scene.
Ofori reportedly said he was rescued while he was asleep in the room.
The development brought relief to those who had feared the worst and was followed by an emotional reunion at the scene.
Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey and the Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben South, Ransford Owusu Boakye, visited the scene following the incident.
Authorities are expected to conduct further investigations to establish the cause of the fire and determine the full extent of the damage caused by the blaze.
