A major fire behind the VVIP Station at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra has ravaged about 50 shops, most of which were used as warehouses for phone accessories and assorted goods.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, also affected nearby structures that served as homes and food vending spots in the busy commercial zone, forcing traders and residents to evacuate as the flames intensified.
Officials reported that the cause of the blaze and details about possible injuries were still unknown at the time of filing this report, with damage assessments underway.
Assistant Fire Officer Rashid Kwame Esau of the Ghana National Fire Service confirmed that preliminary information pointed to a kiosk as the source of the fire.
“We have five fire engines here, including a private tanker. Some have gone to replenish about two or three times, and they are here. We are told it started from a kiosk, but as to what caused the fire in the kiosk, we are yet to investigate further,” he told journalists at the scene.
Firefighters fought the blaze for hours, facing water shortages that required several tenders to leave and refill before returning to continue the response.
The Ghana National Fire Service eventually succeeded in containing the fire, preventing it from spreading to other commercial and transport facilities around the Circle.
Many traders were seen picking through the rubble to salvage remaining items, while others expressed distress over the loss of valuable goods, some of which were stored for large-scale distribution.
The Fire Service says it will launch a full investigation to determine the cause of the outbreak and help improve fire prevention in the area.
