A fire ravaged the Makola Shopping Mall in Accra, resulting in the temporary closure of the mall for a thorough assessment. The fire broke out around 11:00 pm on Friday, October 20, 2023, and was brought under control within four and a half hours by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS). The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The fire caused extensive damage, including the destruction of over 200 shops and makeshift structures. Various items, such as wigs, perfumes, cosmetics, and jewelry, worth thousands of Ghana cedis, were lost. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
The Deputy Director of Operations at GNFS, Chief Fire Officer Kofi Forson, explained that they received a distress call around 11:24 pm and swiftly responded to the scene. Due to the intensity of the fire, additional firefighting equipment was called in. Nine firefighting appliances and 70 personnel were deployed to combat the fire. Challenges were encountered in accessing the affected areas due to obstructive makeshift structures.
The Greater Accra Regional Commander of GNFS, Assistant Chief Fire Officer Roberta Aggrey-Ghanson, noted that the cause of the fire is being investigated. She explained that explosions heard during the fire resulted from cosmetic products exposed to excessive heat.
Accra’s Mayor, Elizabeth K.T. Sackey, visited the mall to assess the damage and stated that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) would await the GNFS report before deciding on the next steps. She urged traders to take precautionary measures to prevent future fire outbreaks.
Witnesses emphasized the need for lasting solutions to fire outbreaks, including addressing the placement of makeshift structures to ensure better access in case of disasters.
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