Accra, June 25, 2025 — Dozens of traders at the Accra Arts Centre are grappling with massive losses after a devastating fire tore through parts of the centre on the evening of Tuesday, June 24.
Eyewitnesses report that the fire started around 6:15 p.m., quickly engulfing multiple wooden shops and structures. According to preliminary investigations, the blaze was ignited when a worker attempted to boil water using a faulty gas cylinder, which exploded and triggered the inferno.
“I’ve lost all my equipment, how will I survive? How will I take care of my children?” cried Esther Atanga, a seamstress and single mother who spoke to Channel One News.
Extent of Damage
According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the fire destroyed more than 50 wooden structures used for both commercial and residential purposes. While no injuries or fatalities were reported, hundreds of cedis worth of goods were lost, and many livelihoods have been wiped out.
“We thank God there were no fatalities, but all my wares have been destroyed. I have lost almost GHS20,000. We appeal to the government and the public to help us,” another distraught trader said.
Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings, salvaging several nearby structures. However, the affected traders now face uncertainty and hardship as they begin to count their losses.
Call for Relief Support
Victims are urgently appealing to government agencies, non-profits, and the general public for relief. Many of them, particularly women and single parents, say they have lost everything — from sewing machines and artworks to fabrics, beads, and souvenirs.
This latest incident adds to a growing list of market and shop fires affecting small traders across Ghana, sparking renewed calls for improved fire safety infrastructure and emergency response plans in public commercial spaces.
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