Fire ripped through the Accra Tourist Information Centre in Cantonments in the early hours of Monday, August 04,2025, prompting a swift and coordinated response from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
According to a statement released by the GNFS, the blaze was first reported at 01:02 GMT and had already reached a “fully developed” stage by the time the first fire engine from the National Headquarters arrived on scene just two minutes later.
“The fire was spreading rapidly in all directions, aided by strong winds,” the statement said.
Five additional fire appliances were immediately mobilized from nearby stations including Flagstaff House, Circle, Accra City, and Ministries along with a Rapid Intervention Vehicle from headquarters. The intensified effort helped bring the fire under control by 03:32 GMT.
Despite those efforts, the entire first floor of the building and its contents were completely destroyed. However, firefighters managed to salvage about eight offices, including the East Wing of the ground floor, preventing the blaze from consuming the entire facility or spreading to nearby properties.
The final suppression phase continued until around 06:35 GMT to eliminate any hidden hotspots.
Crucially, no injuries or casualties were recorded.
The GNFS has since launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the fire, which remains unknown at this time.
The Accra Tourist Information Centre, a hub for visitors and tourism operators, plays a key role in the city’s hospitality and cultural outreach. The incident has sparked concern about fire preparedness in public buildings, especially those handling large numbers of visitors.
Officials say more details will be released following the conclusion of the investigation.
