- Over 600 structures destroyed in Tema Community 12 fire
- Timely GNFS response prevents larger disaster
- No casualties recorded, but safety concerns remain
- Temporary shelters established, public support appealed
A devastating fire swept through the Tuobodom area in Tema Community 12 on September 18, leaving hundreds of residents homeless and destroying over 600 structures. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded swiftly, averting a potentially catastrophic disaster as the fire threatened a nearby gas filling station and several inflammable factories.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fire spread rapidly due to the densely packed wooden structures in the area. Fortunately, personnel from the Tema Regional Fire Service arrived promptly and managed to bring the blaze under control before it could reach the gas station, preventing a large-scale explosion.
The Tema Regional Fire Commander confirmed that no casualties had been recorded, but cautioned that the environment remains unsafe for residents due to pockets of smoldering fires that pose a continued risk. He emphasized the importance of refraining from using explosive substances in residential areas to avoid similar incidents.
The Fire Commander praised his team’s timely intervention, stating, “If not for our swift response, this would have escalated into a major disaster, given the proximity of the fire to a gas filling station.”
The fire has displaced hundreds of residents, destroying homes and personal belongings. Temporary shelters have been set up in local churches and schools with assistance from the NDC Tema Central parliamentary candidate, Ebi Bright.
Ebi Bright appealed to the general public to extend support to the affected residents, saying, “These individuals have lost everything. We are working to provide immediate relief, but we also need the public to come together and help in any way they can.”
The Tema Fire Service continues to monitor the situation, ensuring that any remaining embers are fully extinguished to prevent a recurrence. Authorities are also investigating the cause of the fire and assessing the structural integrity of the surrounding buildings.
This tragic incident highlights the need for stricter safety regulations in high-density residential areas, particularly where there is proximity to industrial and inflammable sites.
Residents and traders in Tema Community Two, near the mosque close to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust Flats (SSNIT), have also been affected by similar fires in the past [1).
In the aftermath of this devastating fire, it is essential for the community to come together and support those affected, while also advocating for improved safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
