The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has disclosed that late reporting, poor access routes, gas explosions, and illegal electrical connections significantly hindered efforts to contain the fire behind the VVIP Station at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.
The blaze, which erupted around 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, destroyed over 50 mobile phone shops, according to eyewitnesses and authorities. Firefighters responded promptly after being alerted and were eventually able to bring the fire under control, though several challenges complicated the operation.
On Friday, January 23, GNFS Head of Public Affairs, DOII Desmond Ackah, highlighted limited accessibility to the area as a major obstacle. Firefighters had to lay extended hose lines to reach the heart of the fire, which required higher water pressure and led to significant water loss, slowing containment efforts.
DOII Ackah also noted that the presence of numerous gas cylinders and stoves within the shops intensified the blaze, as intermittent explosions worsened the situation.
Illegal and haphazard electrical connections posed additional hazards for the emergency teams.
He added that the most critical challenge remained the delayed call to the Fire Service, which allowed the fire to grow before firefighters arrived.
