The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has successfully rescued or safely evacuated 479 people during a three-day emergency operation across Accra, Tema and surrounding communities following heavy rains, multiple fire outbreaks and a building collapse.
In a detailed update, the Service said its personnel worked around the clock alongside other emergency agencies to respond to several incidents triggered by the torrential downpour.
While hundreds of lives were saved, five people died during the period, one person sustained injuries, and another remains missing.
The operations began on Sunday with two separate fire incidents in Accra. Firefighters from the Industrial Area Station prevented a domestic fire at Lartebiokorshie from spreading beyond a single room, while another team contained a commercial fire at Labadi Kojo Sardine, which was reportedly caused by an overcharged solar battery.
Later that day, personnel battled a major tanker fire at Asutuare Junction and brought the blaze under control, though one person died and another sustained injuries.
As the rains intensified on Monday, operations shifted to flood rescues. A joint team involving the GNFS, Police Marine Unit, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Ghana Armed Forces rescued 105 people trapped by floodwaters at Tse Addo Last Stop.
In the Tema Region, firefighters responded to 23 emergencies in a single day, including large-scale evacuations in Tema Newtown where more than 50 residents were rescued. A female trader was also swept away and remains missing near the Tema Community One Market.
On Tuesday, GNFS teams carried out one of their largest rescue operations in the Adabraka–Odawna area, evacuating over 300 people from rising floodwaters. Four people — three men and one woman — died during the flooding.
Firefighters also contained a major blaze at the Odawna Rubber Market near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures.
Overall, the GNFS said its teams rescued or safely evacuated 479 people within the three-day period.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with partner agencies to respond swiftly to emergencies and safeguard lives and property across the country.
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