The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed that the fire which destroyed several commercial shops selling assorted drinks at Achimota Abofu, near the Shell Filling Station, on Sunday, November 9, 2025, was caused by unattended cooking.
According to the Service, three fire tenders from the Anyaa, National Headquarters, and Legon Fire Stations were dispatched to the scene to bring the blaze under control.
Speaking on Channel One TV, the Accra Regional Fire Commander, ACFO Rashid Kwame Nisawu, attributed the incident to negligence.
“The fire started from one of the containers, and it’s a straightforward story — somebody left soup on fire and went to church. I don’t want to mention the person’s name for security reasons,” he said.
ACFO Nisawu cautioned traders against cooking in markets and shops, warning that such practices significantly increase the risk of fire outbreaks.
“These things we have been saying — that they should not be cooking in the markets and shops — some of them have not been listening to the advice, and that is what has happened,” he added.
He also highlighted persistent challenges with access routes to commercial areas and the lack of compliance with fire safety regulations. He urged shop owners and market authorities to ensure that fire hydrants and safety systems are properly maintained to prevent future incidents.
The Sunday afternoon blaze ravaged a cluster of commercial shops near the Shell Filling Station at Achimota Abofu, destroying several containers and their contents.
According to GNFS officers at the scene, the fire started around 3:00 p.m. and was fully extinguished after about three hours.
Firefighters managed to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby shops and other properties, averting further damage.
