For the second time the vulnerable European Town Rails Mu at Sekondi has been reduced to ashes.
The European Town Rails mu, a slum made up largely of makeshift wooden structures with a seedy reputation has been of great concern to the local authorities and community leaders, who have made several attempts to clear them but to no avail.
A fast-moving fire on Tuesday dawn, September 9, 2025, ravaged the area, claiming approximately 50 makeshift homes and a church, deepening the plight of its residents.
This fire incident hauntingly mirrors a nearly identical one three years ago, during a failed attempt by city authorities to c free zzz Vvz clear the informal settlement.
Amid the smoldering ruins, stories of losses emerge.
Eyewitnesses draw parallels to the previous disaster and have called for a thorough investigation into the recurring incidents.
“ I was asleep when I received a call about the fire at my sister’s place, and upon arrival, I was devastated to see it had burnt to ashes,” a woman said.
“What’s disturbing is that this incident occurred exactly three years after a similar fire on September 9. This coincidence demands thorough investigation,” She said.
NADMO Director for Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Area, Alhaji Abubakar Karmal, indicate about two months back, he had come to the area with his team to educate the residents on fire prevention strategies.
“According to eyewitnesses, the fire reportedly started in the wooden structures in the middle. Some witnesses mentioned candles as a possible cause, although most of the structures have electricity as their main power source, while others do not,” he noted.
DO1 Michael Tetteh is the metro fire officer.
According to him, “upon arrival, the entire enclave was engulfed in flames, but our priority was to prevent the fire from spreading beyond this point, given the numerous structures nearby, including those up to the electricity company.”
“We successfully deployed our crew: one team uphill worked to contain the fire here, while another team downhill, in the area previously affected, also worked to confine it. Through their efforts, we managed to control the fire within the enclave,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, who visited the scene with members of the Regional Security Council, describes the situation as unfortunate, noting that many people struggle to respond effectively during fire outbreaks.
“When it comes to fire outbreaks, it’s concerning that many of our residents still don’t know the emergency number for the fire services. It’s unfortunate that in other places, even children can recall this crucial information, highlighting a need for better awareness here,” he said.
He urged the Assembly to assume oversight responsibility for the area. “I urge the Assembly to address the issues surrounding this area and explore ways to utilize it effectively.”
“If these structures aren’t meant to be here, we must take decisive action to remove them and properly organize the space to prevent similar incidents in the future,” he added.
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