Madina, Ghana — A devastating fire outbreak ripped through a cluster of wooden structures at Ritz Junction, Madina, late last night, leaving dozens of residents displaced and properties reduced to ashes.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire began around 11:30 PM and quickly spread due to the closely packed nature of the wooden structures and flammable materials stored within them. The cause of the blaze remains unknown at this time, but many residents suspect it may have started from an electrical fault or an unattended cooking appliance.
Emergency responders from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) arrived at the scene shortly after midnight and battled the fierce flames for several hours before managing to bring it under control. By dawn, the once-busy area had turned into a scene of charred debris and heartbreak.
“I was asleep when I heard people shouting. When I came out, everything was already in flames,” said Kwame Ntiamoah, a resident who lost his kiosk in the fire. “We couldn’t save anything. Everything is gone.”
Preliminary assessments suggest that over 30 wooden kiosks and structures were destroyed in the fire. No fatalities have been reported yet, but several people sustained minor injuries while attempting to escape or rescue belongings.
Officials from the La Nkwantanang Municipal Assembly and NADMO (National Disaster Management Organisation) have since visited the scene and promised to assist victims with emergency relief items.
“We are still investigating the cause of the fire and will provide support to those affected,” said a representative from NADMO.
This incident has sparked fresh concerns over safety in informal settlements and the need for proper urban planning and enforcement of fire safety protocols in high-density areas like Madina.
As of this morning, affected individuals are appealing to the government, NGOs, and the general public for immediate support, especially shelter, food, and clothing.
