The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed the arrest of a suspect in connection with the devastating fire that swept through the Accra Timber Market in the early hours of Saturday, September 13, 2025.
The Greater Accra Regional Commander of the GNFS, ACFO II Rashid Kwame Nisawu, disclosed the development in an interview with Channel One Newsroom.
According to him, preliminary intelligence gathered during firefighting operations linked the blaze to a man who allegedly set rubbish ablaze and left it unattended.
“Indeed, through the firefighting, what we normally do is deploy some plainclothed officers to fish out information. What we gathered was that this gentleman gathered rubbish around, set it on fire, went to sleep, and this thing degenerated. That is the result we are having,” ACFO II Nisawu explained.
He added that the police acted swiftly on the intelligence.
“The good thing is that this morning, the Police Commander came to report to the Chief Fire Officer — I was present — that they have apprehended the gentleman. Currently, as we speak, the alleged suspect is in police custody at the James Town Police Station.”
The Fire Outbreak
The inferno, which started at 1:17 a.m. near the Aayalolo School, razed several shops dealing in wooden planks and hardware. Firefighters mobilised seven fire engines from stations across Accra, supported by one GNFS water tanker and two others from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the Ablekuma Municipal Assembly.
The coordinated effort ensured that by 6:26 a.m., the flames were contained, brought under control at 6:37 a.m., and finally extinguished by 11:44 a.m.
Injuries and Damage
Two firefighters sustained injuries during the operation — one from an electric shock and another from burns to the arm. Both have since been treated and discharged.
Despite extensive destruction within the market, firefighters successfully prevented the flames from spreading to nearby properties, including the Ayalolo cluster of schools.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage and whether negligence charges will be brought against the suspect.
Source – My News Ghana
