A fire tender from the Weija Gbawe Division of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) caught fire while extinguishing a blaze that gutted at least 10 container shops in Ghana Flag, a suburb of Kasoa in the Central Region.
The incident required the response of three additional fire tenders from Kasoa, Buduburam, and Weija to control the fire. A GNFS personnel, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the fire tenders were outdated and in need of replacement.
According to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the Kasoa Fire Station has been grappling with broken-down tenders since October 2023, forcing reliance on the Buduburam and Weija stations for assistance. The fire officer further noted that both Buduburam and Weija fire stations are facing challenges and are ill-equipped to handle high-level infernos.
Daniel Nasiru, a local resident, reported that the water in the first tender was depleted shortly after arrival, prompting residents to assist in bringing the fire under control.
The fire reportedly destroyed a furniture shop, an electrical shop, a wooden church, and other shops, resulting in the loss of property valued at thousands of cedis.
Mustapha Mohammed, the Assembly Member for Joemends Kpormetey Electoral Area, commended the GNFS and local residents for their collective efforts in extinguishing the fire.
