Fire has gutted a number of shops and residential properties at Srodae in Koforidua near the Old Traffic Light in the Central Business District.
Fire Service personnel have since brought the blaze under control, preventing it from spreading to adjoining shops and properties.
The affected shops are part of a row of old structures used for both domestic and commercial activities.
One eye witness narrated how the fire begun.
“ One gentlemen who stays upstairs enters his apartment, about 20minutes lates I was called by a lady who sells Tilapia down there that smoke was coming out from the building. I rushed up to see smoke billowing, immediately I rushed to get water , only for the fire to get worse and we had to call the fire service in.”
The New Juaben North Municipal Fire Station received a distress call at 11:02 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, reporting the fire outbreak at Srodae.
Fire service said a ten member firefighting crew, led by SO II Nartey, was immediately mobilised and dispatched to the scene, arriving at 11:15 p.m.
Upon arrival, the crew found a one storey building fully engulfed in flames, with the fire still in progress.
Firefighters immediately commenced operations, bringing the fire under control at 1:23 a.m. and completely extinguishing it at 3:04 a.m.
The swift response prevented the fire from spreading to adjoining properties and helped minimise the extent of the damage.
The fire destroyed personal care products, electrical cables, fascia boards, lights, personal belongings, jewellery, paints, drinks, air conditioners, mobile phones and accessories, clothing, footwear and roofing sheets.
The intensity of the fire also caused the complete collapse of the first floor and partial collapse of sections of the ground floor.
Due to the compromised structural integrity of the building, the area has been cordoned off to prevent unauthorised access and reduce the risk of further danger.
Preliminary investigations into the cause of the fire are underway.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Awatey, has called for the affected facility to be demolished, citing safety concerns.
“We realised that the burnt store is an old mud building and it is almost at a collapsing stage. Part of it is almost gone. There is not much casualty but to make sure we save lives, we have to agree with the family so that we can pull the building down,” she said.
Meanwhile, police have arrested a 25 year old man for allegedly stealing during the fire incident.
The suspect was arrested at the scene as police personnel worked to maintain order and prevent looting.
Crime Officer at the Eastern Regional Police Command, ASP Augustine Kwabena, confirmed the arrest.
“One gentleman of about 25 years, yesterday when we were saving lives and properties, had the guts to enter into one of the shops that was burning to steal something. Currently, he is in our custody and we are going to deal with him according to the law,” he said.
By Yvonne Neequaye
