The Eastern Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has refuted reports that unknown individuals attempted to set the Nkawkaw fire tender ablaze during an emergency response.
In a statement signed by Assistant Chief Fire Officer I (ACFO I) Timothy Osafo-Affum, the Eastern Regional Commander, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, the GNFS described the reports as “false and misleading.”
According to the Service, the incident occurred on Tuesday, June 11, 2025, at approximately 9:16 p.m., after the Nkawkaw Fire Station received a distress call about a fire outbreak at Zaragoza Atta Ne Atta, involving a nine-bedroom self-contained house.
“The crew immediately responded to the incident. While en route and near the scene, the fire tender got stuck in a muddy section of the road filled with charcoal,” the statement explained.
It added that heat from the tender’s engine and exhaust system ignited the charcoal beneath the vehicle, leading to visible smoke.
“This emission of smoke was misinterpreted by onlookers as an attempt by unknown individuals gathered near the scene to set the fire engine ablaze,” the statement clarified.
The GNFS stressed that at no point did anyone attempt to attack or set the fire tender on fire.
“There was, therefore, no malicious intent,” the Service affirmed.
Due to the vehicle being immobilised, the crew could not reach the fire scene, prompting the dispatch of a backup tender from Mpraeso to handle the emergency.
The GNFS reassured the public of its unwavering commitment to responding to emergencies swiftly, professionally, and efficiently.
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