A devastating fire outbreak at Koforidua in the Eastern Region has destroyed several shops and residential structures around the Police Station traffic light.
The fire, which reportedly started around 10:00 p.m. from one of the residential rooms on the top floor of the one- storey building on Saturday, October 3, 2026, gutted several businesses, including Mama Pee Shop, Show Boy Shop and an alcohol and wine shop.
The intensity of the fire also spread to adjoining residential structures, leaving shop owners and residents counting their losses.
By Sunday morning, some affected shop owners had gathered at the scene, salvaging items that had survived the inferno.
One firefighter reportedly sustained injuries while battling the blaze and was rushed to the Eastern Regional Hospital for medical attention.
Residents have meanwhile renewed calls for the Ghana National Fire Service to be adequately resourced in Koforidua, particularly with functioning fire tenders.
According to residents, the local fire service faced difficulties in responding effectively because of the reported unavailability of a properly functioning fire tender.
They said fire tenders from Suhum and other nearby towns had to be deployed to support the firefighting operation.
Residents say the incident highlights the need for improved emergency response capacity in Koforidua to prevent delays in containing major fires.
Meanwhile in an emotional turn of events, a man who was initially feared to have been burnt to death in the fire was later found alive, triggering jubilation among residents and relatives.
The man, identified as Richard Kofi Ofori, was reportedly believed to have been asleep in a room on the upper floor of the shops when the fire broke out.
Initial reports suggested that he had been trapped inside the building and may have died in the inferno however emerged alive, leading to an emotional reunion and jubilation at the scene.
He said he was rescued wjile asleep in the room.
Authorities are expected to conduct further investigations to determine the cause of the fire and assess the extent of damage.
Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, and the Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben south Ransford Owusu Boakye visited the scene last night.
