Hundreds of residents in Asawase Pelele, a densely populated slum located in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region, have been rendered homeless following a fire that ravaged several wooden structures serving as makeshift homes.
The fire erupted in the early hours of Thursday, August 27, 2026, and rapidly spread throughout the settlement, destroying buildings primarily inhabited by metal scrap dealers and head porters.
Among those impacted are young women with children and men who have migrated from northern Ghana to the Ashanti Region in search of job opportunities.
The tightly packed nature of the settlement posed significant challenges for firefighters attempting to access the affected area, with the disorganised arrangement of the structures hindering efforts to swiftly control the fire.
The Ghana National Fire Service received the emergency call at 6:03 a.m. and arrived on the scene at 6:17 a.m.
Asokore Mampong Municipal Fire Commander, DO III Wikana Daniel, stated that firefighters encountered considerable difficulties in reaching the affected structures due to the congestion.
He informed Citi News that personnel ultimately managed to bring the fire under control at approximately 7:13 a.m., preventing further spread.
Mr. Daniel has urged residents to provide precise and comprehensive information when reporting emergencies to facilitate quicker location and effective response by firefighters.
