Fire razes makeshift factory at Laterbiokorshie
A warehouse serving as a makeshift factory for the production of rubber slippers and shoes was destroyed in a fierce fire outbreak at Laterbiokorshie last Tuesday afternoon.
An adjacent residential house was also reduced to ashes in the blaze, which sent plumes of thick black smoke billowing over the area.
The incident, which began around 4 p.m. and lasted for several hours, also caused minor damage to two neighbouring houses as firefighters battled to contain the spread of the flames.
Officials from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) have, however, confirmed that there were no casualties or fatalities recorded.
However, two firefighters and one civilian who sustained injuries while battling the fire have since received treatment and are recovering.
Eyewitnesses described a sudden, loud explosion that preceded the fire.
“I was in my shop when we heard a very loud bang, like a tyre had burst, but much louder.
We rushed out and saw smoke and then flames coming from the top of the building,” Kofi Mensah, a trader near the scene, in an interview with the Daily Graphic, said.
“The fire spread very fast because of the materials inside, rubber and plastics.
It was intense,” Nii Lante, a resident of the area, told the Daily Graphic in an interview.
Another eyewitness, Ama Serwaa, who lives close to the factory, recounted the panic that ensued.
“The smoke was so thick and black, and we could hear small explosions from inside.
was just running to save their lives and their property.
We are just thankful that no one was hurt.”
Firemen
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) arrived at the scene and battled for hours before bringing the inferno under control around 10 p.m. Six fire tenders were deployed, with several private water tankers assisting the firefighters with water.
Their efforts prevented the fire from causing even greater devastation to the densely populated community.
While the exact cause of the fire is yet to be officially determined, initial assessments point to a possible power-related explosion.
The Greater Accra Regional Fire Officer, ACFO Rashid Kwame Nisawu, said investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
However, he said such fire incidents were a result of indiscipline and the blatant disregard for fire prevention regulations.
ACFO Nisawu explained that the makeshift structure was unsuitable for its intended use, and this made it difficult for firefighters to access the inner perimeter of the building where the blaze was most intense.
He advised the public to strictly follow safety protocol when establishing a factory or warehouse to prevent such incidents.
The Regional Fire Officer reported that the first fire tender from the Greater Accra Regional Headquarters Substation arrived at 4:24 p.m., by which time the blaze was already well advanced.
Reinforcements followed swiftly, with five additional fire tenders from Industrial Area, Circle, Accra Metro, Ministries, and Flagstaff House Fire Stations, supported by four private water tankers.
Yesterday, earth-moving equipment was deployed to help firefighters excavate unburnt debris and ensure the complete extinguishment of the deep-seated fire, which involved leather and plastic footwear materials stored in the warehouse.
