Several shops have been destroyed behind the VVIP station at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, causing panic among traders and commuters.

The fire reportedly broke out in the early hours of Tuesday, January 20, spreading rapidly through a cluster of makeshift structures around the tiptoe lane as thick smoke and flames forced traders to flee, abandoning goods.

Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service responded swiftly and was able to bring the fire under control preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings.

Although no deaths have been confirmed at the time of this report, details regarding the exact cause of the fire still remains unclear while some attributed the outbreak to be an electrical fault. The extent of damage to property is yet to be fully assessed.

Kwame Nkrumah Circle is one of Accra’s busiest transport and trading centers, and incidents of this nature often have significant economic impact on small-scale traders.

The Fire Service has assured the public that investigations will be conducted to establish the exact cause of the outbreak and to guide future preventive measures in the area.

Credit: Irene Kwao