The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has revealed that 479 people were rescued or evacuated during a series of emergency operations carried out between June 28 and June 30 following heavy rains, flooding, fire outbreaks and a building collapse in parts of Accra, Tema and nearby communities.
According to the Service, the three-day emergency response involved collaboration with other security and disaster management agencies.
The incidents resulted in five deaths, one injury and one person still missing.
The emergency operations began on Sunday, June 28, when firefighters responded to several fire outbreaks across the Greater Accra Region.
At Lartebiokorshie, a domestic fire destroyed a room and its contents. However, firefighters managed to contain the blaze before it spread to other parts of the building. No casualties were recorded.
Later that day, personnel from the Trade Fair Fire Station successfully extinguished a commercial fire at Labadi Kojo Sardine. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been caused by an overcharged solar battery. The blaze partially damaged a metal container and items stored inside.
A more serious incident occurred at Asutuare Junction, where a fuel tanker caught fire. Four fire tenders were deployed to the scene to bring the situation under control.
One person died and another sustained injury, while the tanker was completely destroyed. Authorities have launched investigations into the cause of the fire.
Following Monday’s heavy downpour, emergency teams shifted their attention to widespread flooding across Greater Accra and Tema. One of the largest rescue operations took place at Tse-Ado Last Stop, where a joint team made up of the GNFS, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service Marine Unit and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) rescued 105 people trapped by floodwaters.
In Tema, firefighters responded to 23 emergencies within 24 hours, including flooding, fires and fallen trees. More than 50 residents were evacuated from Tema Newtown, while 12 others were rescued from rising floodwaters. However, a female trader swept away near the Tema Community One Market remains missing.
The GNFS also responded to the collapse of a four-storey building at Tabora No. 6 in Accra. Fortunately, all 12 occupants had evacuated before the structure collapsed, preventing any casualties.
Meanwhile, rescue teams saved over 300 people in the Adabraka-Odawna area. Despite the successful operation, four people lost their lives in the floods.
The Fire Service has assured the public that it remains on high alert as the rainy season continues and urged residents in flood-prone areas to take precautionary measures and follow safety directives from emergency authorities.
