Fire destroys newly opened China City Mall in Kumasi

Flames tore through the newly opened China City Mall at Santasi in Kumasi, leaving the popular shopping centre in ruins and destroying property valued at thousands of cedis.

The fire, which broke out on Thursday, October 30, quickly engulfed the commercial facility, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and leaving behind widespread destruction.

Officials from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) say the exact cause of the fire is not yet known.

However, preliminary investigations suggest it may have started from the rear section of the building before spreading rapidly throughout the mall.

“We received a distress call and immediately dispatched two fire tenders to the scene. Our team has been working tirelessly to contain the blaze,” a GNFS officer said.

Despite their efforts, firefighters were unable to save the building, which housed several shops selling home accessories, electronics, and groceries.

According to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), no casualties have been reported so far. NADMO officials were also present at the scene to assist with recovery operations.

The mall, which opened earlier in 2025, had quickly become a popular shopping spot for residents of Kumasi and nearby communities.

Eyewitnesses said the fire spread so fast that traders had no time to rescue their goods.

“It was terrifying. Within minutes, the entire place was on fire,” one shop attendant recalled.

The GNFS has launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the fire and assess the extent of the damage.