GNFS yet to confirm reported deaths in North Industrial Area fire

Story by: Regina Bless

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) says it has not yet confirmed reports that two people may have died following a fire outbreak at the North Industrial Area in Accra on Thursday, October 1.

The fire, which was reportedly triggered by a gas cylinder explosion, spread through several shops and structures, destroying property and leaving parts of the industrial area engulfed in flames.

Firefighters were quickly deployed to the scene to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby shops, workshops and other structures.

Reports later emerged that two people might have been trapped inside the affected buildings and feared dead. However, the GNFS says no bodies or evidence confirming the reported deaths have been found so far.

Speaking to Citi News, a member of the GNFS Communications Team, Alex King Nartey, said the Service could not confirm any casualties while firefighting operations were still ongoing.

He explained that after the fire is completely extinguished, firefighters will conduct an overhauling and salvaging exercise, which involves carefully going through the rubble and ruins. It is during this process that authorities may be able to determine whether anyone was trapped or killed in the fire.

The North Industrial Area houses numerous businesses, workshops, warehouses and other commercial activities. Fires in the area therefore pose a significant risk because flames can quickly spread from one structure to another.

For now, the GNFS has urged the public to rely on confirmed information from the authorities as firefighting and assessment operations continue.