A devastating fire tore through the Tuobodom area in Tema Community 12 on the afternoon of September 18, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Speaking with Ahotor FM’s Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh, the residents said over 600 structures were reduced to ashes.
The fire has displaced hundreds of residents who now find themselves without homes.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded swiftly to the emergency, but many residents expressed frustration, claiming the initial efforts seemed focused on protecting a nearby gas filling station rather than addressing the fire that was consuming their homes.
While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, eyewitnesses reported that it began in a small wooden structure.
As the flames grew, an explosion occurred, propelling the fire into neighboring structures with the help of strong winds, spreading it uncontrollably.
Firefighters from the Tema Regional Fire Service arrived at the scene and managed to contain the blaze before it reached the gas station, averting what could have been a catastrophic explosion.
Their timely intervention prevented an even larger disaster, but for many, the damage had already been done.
Akua Serwaa, a local trader, recounted her terrifying experience. “I smelled something burning from the lower end of the settlement but couldn’t tell where it was coming from. Then suddenly, I heard an explosion. Within minutes, I saw four kiosks engulfed in flames. We called the fire service, but the fire spread so fast. I couldn’t save anything.”
Another resident shared a grim account of how the fire initially spread unnoticed. “We saw smoke coming from one of the kiosks, but when we called for help, some people refused to assist because they said the owner of the kiosk was disrespectful. Instead, they took out their phones to record videos. By the time they realized, the fire had reached their own kiosks too.”
The disaster quickly caught the attention of local leaders. Ebi Bright, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Tema Central, visited the scene and called for immediate support for the affected residents.
While she was relieved that no lives were lost, she expressed deep concern over the loss of homes, businesses, and livelihoods, affecting more than a thousand people.
The Assemblyman for the Valco Electoral Area, Mr. Emmanuel Sefah, urged residents to stay calm as authorities worked on plans to assist them.
He also took the opportunity to remind the community of the importance of following safety protocols when using gas in their homes, as many fires in such settlements are linked to unsafe cooking practices.
The displaced residents are now calling for urgent help, having lost not only their homes but their life savings and belongings.
“My biggest worry is my children,” said one victim. “What will they wear? Where will they sleep? How can they go to school? I lost everything in the fire. All I could do was grab my children and run. There was no time to take anything else.”
Another affected resident echoed the plea for assistance, adding, “We are Ghanaians too, and we need help. The local churches are doing what they can, but we need more support. We need somewhere to sleep and a way to rebuild our lives.”
The aftermath of the fire has left the community reeling, but amidst the devastation, there is hope that assistance from both local authorities and charitable organizations will come swiftly, helping the victims to start anew.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites✍️) / Ahotoronline.com
