Firefighters contained a major blaze in the La Olympio Abafum area on Friday night, December 19, 2025, averting what authorities say could have become a large-scale disaster in the densely populated community.
The fire broke out at about 7:28 p.m. and rapidly spread through a cluster of wooden structures, producing thick smoke and heightening fears of escalation due to the area’s congested layout.
A first response team from the Trade Fair Fire Station, led by Assistant Divisional Officer I Matthew Y. Quaye, arrived to find the fire fully developed, according to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS). Access to the scene was hindered by narrow alleys and makeshift structures common to the settlement.
Reinforcements were quickly deployed, including two heavy-duty fire engines from the Military Fire Unit and the Parliament Fire Station, helping to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby homes.
As firefighting efforts intensified, the Electricity Company of Ghana isolated power to the area to eliminate the risk posed by exposed electrical lines. Police officers also secured the scene, managing crowds to allow emergency crews to operate effectively.
“While four single rooms and their contents were damaged, several adjoining residential buildings were successfully salvaged,” the GNFS said.
No injuries or fatalities were recorded, a notable outcome amid a reported 33 percent rise in fire-related injuries nationwide this year.
