More than 12 hours after a massive fire engulfed a warehouse situated in a residential area at Latebiokoshie in Accra, personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) were still battling persistent pockets of fire as of 10:00 a.m. Wednesday.
Four fire tenders remained at the scene, working to fully douse the flames that broke out on the evening of Tuesday, September 9.
The affected building, which had been repurposed into a warehouse, is located in a densely populated residential zone a growing trend that has alarmed local authorities and residents alike.
Authorities Raise Red Flags Over Illegal Warehouse Conversions
The Greater Accra Regional Fire Commander expressed deep concern over the increasing use of residential properties for commercial warehousing, describing the trend as dangerous and a major fire hazard.
“This practice puts lives and properties at risk. Residential areas are not designed to support the storage of combustible materials in large quantities,” the Fire Commander stated.
He has since called on the Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly to investigate and prosecute the owners of the affected warehouse for negligence and operating without the necessary permits.
Nana, a resident whose home was also affected by the fire, echoed similar sentiments and called on authorities to halt the unlawful conversion of residential buildings into commercial storage facilities.
“We are living in constant fear. These warehouses are springing up everywhere without checks, and now we are the ones paying the price,” Nana lamented.
Other residents pointed fingers at some Chinese nationals who live and work in the area, alleging that their frequent smoking activities may have triggered the fire.
“They smoke carelessly, even near flammable materials. We’ve complained several times,” one resident claimed.
However, a Chinese national residing in the area has strongly denied the allegations. He suggested that the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault rather than human negligence.
“We were not smoking. There was a power issue earlier, and I believe it might have caused the fire,” he said.
Municipal Assembly Vows Crackdown
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ablekuma Central, in an interview with TV3, assured the public that investigations have commenced to determine the exact cause of the fire.
He also pledged to enforce stricter regulations regarding land use in residential zones.
“We will not hesitate to shut down any warehouses operating illegally. This is about the safety of our people,” the MCE stressed.
This latest incident comes almost exactly a year after a similar fire outbreak occurred just a few meters away from the current location, raising serious concerns about enforcement of building codes and zoning regulations in the area.
As investigations continue, residents are calling for urgent interventions from both local government and regulatory bodies to prevent further tragedies.
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