Fire Destroys Shops at Madina Market, No Casualties Reported
Parts of the Madina Market in Accra were reduced to ashes in the early hours of Friday when a fierce fire tore through the busy trading centre, destroying several shops and wooden structures.
According to eyewitnesses, the blaze started around 1:00 a.m., quickly spreading through stalls packed with goods. Traders and residents raised the alarm as thick smoke filled the air, prompting a swift response from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
Fire crews from Madina, Legon, and the National Headquarters rushed to the scene with multiple fire engines. They battled the flames for hours, bringing the situation under control by 3:19 a.m. and fully extinguishing it around 4:40 a.m.
Preliminary assessments indicate that the fire destroyed at least nine metal containers, two corn-milling shops, and several wooden kiosks. Although losses to property and merchandise are substantial, the GNFS confirmed that no injuries or deaths were recorded.
The cause of the outbreak has not yet been determined, but an investigation is underway. Officers noted that the lack of nearby hydrants made firefighting efforts more difficult, forcing them to deploy additional water tankers.
Friday’s incident marks yet another fire at Madina in recent months, following similar outbreaks at the Ritz Junction and Redco sections of the market. Traders have appealed to authorities to improve fire safety infrastructure and enforce stricter rules on wooden structures in the area.
The GNFS has urged market users to observe fire safety protocols, including avoiding the overloading of electrical connections and ensuring proper storage of flammable materials.
