A suspected gas cylinder explosion has sparked a massive fire at Frimpomaa Estate, behind Absa Bank at Spintex in Accra, destroying several wooden structures and sending residents into a frantic scramble for safety.
The fire affected 27 wooden structures before firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control.
A resident said the fire started after a young boy allegedly left a gas cylinder on, which later exploded and triggered the inferno.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) received the distress call at about 7:30 a.m. and brought the fire under control at 9:22 a.m.
The Acting Regional Operations Officer of the GNFS, DOIII Matthew Kumi, said firefighters managed to salvage a church, 10 wooden structures and a storey building despite the intensity of the fire.
He explained that the firefighting operation was also affected by access difficulties after a broken-down vehicle obstructed the route to the affected area, delaying the team’s arrival at the scene.
Firefighters eventually succeeded in containing the blaze and preventing it from spreading to other nearby properties.
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be officially established, although preliminary accounts from residents point to the suspected gas cylinder explosion.
No casualties have been reported in connection with the incident.
