A fire has destroyed shops and residential properties at Srodae in Koforidua, near the Old Traffic Light in the Central Business District, with a 25-year-old man arrested for allegedly stealing during the incident.
The blaze was brought under control by firefighters before it could spread to neighbouring shops and properties.
The affected premises are part of a row of old buildings used for both residential and commercial purposes. The fire caused the first floor to collapse completely, while parts of the ground floor also gave way.
The New Juaben North Municipal Fire Station received a distress call at 11:02 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026. A 10-member team led by SO II Nartey arrived at the scene at 11:15 p.m. and found a one-storey building fully engulfed.
Firefighters contained the blaze at 1:23 a.m. before extinguishing it completely at 3:04 a.m. Their response prevented the fire from reaching adjoining properties and limited the damage.
Items destroyed included personal care products, electrical cables, fascia boards, lights, personal belongings, jewellery, paints, drinks, air conditioners, mobile phones and accessories, clothing, footwear and roofing sheets.
Because the building’s structural integrity has been compromised, the area has been cordoned off to prevent unauthorised access and protect people from further danger. Investigations into the cause of the fire are continuing.
One eyewitness described how the fire started.
“One gentlemen who stays upstairs enters his apartment, about 20minutes lates I was called by a lady who sells Tilapia down there that smoke was coming out from the building. I rushed up to see smoke billowing, immediately I rushed to get water, only for the fire to get worse and we had to call the fire service in.”
Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Awatey has called for the affected building to be demolished, saying it poses a serious safety risk.
“We realised that the burnt store is an old mud building and it is almost at a collapsing stage. Part of it is almost gone. There is not much casualty but to make sure we save lives, we have to agree with the family so that we can pull the building down,” she said.
Police also arrested a 25-year-old man at the scene while officers were working to maintain order and prevent looting.
ASP Augustine Kwabena, Crime Officer at the Eastern Regional Police Command, confirmed the arrest.
“One gentleman of about 25 years, yesterday when we were saving lives and properties, had the guts to enter into one of the shops that was burning to steal something. Currently, he is in our custody and we are going to deal with him according to the law,” he said.
By Yvonne Neequaye
