A fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday, 1 October 2026, in Accra’s North Industrial Area at Avenor. The location mixes industrial operations with residential dwellings (locally known in parts as Kofikrom). Thick smoke and intense flames rose over sections of the capital, with footage and images circulating widely online.
Reported casualties
Two children one a toddler or infant are feared to have lost their lives. Accounts indicate their parents were unable to reach them amid the flames. One report states the mother briefly stepped away, leaving the children with their father; upon her return the house was already fully engulfed. Other eyewitnesses have suggested additional residents may have been trapped, though the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has not yet officially confirmed any fatalities.
Emergency crews struggled to reach the scene due to poor or non-existent road access. At one point some residents reportedly blocked fire tenders, further slowing the response.
Impact on property and businesses
Residential structures and livestock were destroyed. The blaze also spread to industrial premises, notably a Duraplast warehouse and factory. Company representatives said the fire began in an illegal structure behind their boundary wall and that most of their stock was lost. Nearby rubber factories and warehouses heightened fears of further spread.
Power disruptions
The fire occurred close to ECG’s Substation ‘D’ at Avenor, causing outages across parts of Accra West. Communities affected include North Industrial Area, North Kaneshie, Tesano, Abeka Junction, the Peace FM area, Santana Market, Alajo Junction and surrounding neighbourhoods. ECG engineers are working to restore electricity and have expressed regret for the inconvenience.
Cause and current status
The precise origin of the fire remains under investigation. One unconfirmed eyewitness account pointed to a possible gas-cylinder explosion linked to cooking. Firefighters continue efforts to fully extinguish the blaze while residents and nearby traders move belongings to safety.
Story by : Emmanuel Nettey
