The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has cautioned traders and residents against the unsafe use of candles and mosquito coils, describing them as leading causes of recent market fires across the country.
This follows a Sunday evening blaze that destroyed several shops at Achimota Abofu, near the Shell Filling Station in Accra, where traders lost large stocks of assorted drinks and goods.
According to the GNFS, investigations into multiple fire outbreaks in Accra and other commercial centres show that negligence in using open flames, particularly candles and mosquito coils, remains a recurring cause.
The Accra Regional Fire Commander, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Rashid Kwame Nisawu, said the Achimota fire is a stark reminder of the risks posed by unsafe activities in market environments. He explained how traders sleeping in shops has led to numerous fires.
“Markets should be dedicated to buying and selling and not cooking. It should not serve as a place for people to sleep either, yet you go to a market and people are sleeping.
“If you turn a market into a sleeping place, definitely mosquitoes will be disturbing you, and you will buy a mosquito coil. And if there’s no light on, you will buy a candle to see your environment. And if you are sleeping, you will not be conscious of your environment, and before you realise, there’s fire”
ACFO Rashid Kwame Nisawu, Accra Regional Fire Commander
The GNFS confirmed that the Achimota Abofu fire was caused by unattended cooking. ACFO Nisawu revealed that the fire began in one of the container shops after an individual “left soup on fire and went to church.”
Though refraining from naming the person responsible for security reasons, he stressed that such acts of carelessness continue to threaten lives and livelihoods. “It’s a straightforward story – that’s how the fire started from one of the containers”
The incident required the intervention of three fire appliances from the Anyaa, National Headquarters, and Legon Fire Stations. Firefighters were able to confine the blaze to the affected shops and prevent it from spreading to adjoining structures.
Safety Measures
ACFO Nisawu expressed concern about recurring challenges with accessibility in crowded markets and poor adherence to safety regulations.
He urged market authorities and property owners to ensure the proper installation and maintenance of fire hydrants and to observe spacing guidelines for shops to facilitate emergency responses.
“We have been saying that they should not be cooking in the markets and shops but some of them have not been listening to the advice, and this is what has happened,” he said, emphasising that preventive compliance is critical to avoiding future tragedies.
With the festive season approaching, the GNFS has launched a safety awareness campaign urging the public to remain vigilant about fire and road safety.
ACFO Nisawu reminded households to exercise caution during Christmas celebrations when the combination of heavy cooking, lighting, and entertainment activities increases the likelihood of fires. “Everything that will entertain you during the festivities is linked to fire, so you should be cautious,” he advised.
He also appealed to commercial drivers to prioritise safety on the roads during the busy holiday period. “I want to advise that in your attempt to make money, be safety conscious, and be mindful of taking human beings safely and bringing them safely,” he urged.
The Ghana National Fire Service has reiterated its commitment to ongoing public education and enforcement of fire safety regulations, noting that consistent negligence and disregard for warnings continue to cause preventable losses.
The Service has therefore called for collective responsibility to reduce the incidence of fire outbreaks, particularly in commercial zones.
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