A devastating fire broke out at the North Industrial Area in Ghana on October 1, 2026, causing widespread destruction to factories and warehouses. The fire started in the early hours of the day at the Kofikrom area and quickly spread to parts of the industrial enclave, including the Duraplast Ghana factory. Workers watched helplessly as the fire destroyed millions of cedis worth of products, including PE pipes, water storage tanks, and other materials.
Firefighters faced difficulties accessing the affected area due to narrow or blocked routes and wooden structures, which hindered their efforts to contain the blaze. The Ghana National Fire Service later reported that the fire had been brought under control by about 11 a.m. However, not before it had caused significant damage to the factories and warehouses in the area. The fire also affected electricity supply in parts of Accra, with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) reporting an outage linked to the fire near its Substation D at Avenor.
The Warehouse Manager of Duraplast Ghana, Grace Duah, recounted the events leading up to the fire, stating that it started as smoke billowing from behind the factory's wall at about 6:40 a.m. The fire quickly escalated into a raging inferno, reducing huge stocks of finished pipes to ashes. Duah stated that they quickly called the Ghana National Fire Service, but their response was delayed, allowing the fire to spread and cause more damage.
The Marketing Manager of Duraplast Ghana, Emmanuel Donkor, blamed the extent of the damage on the late arrival of fire officers and empty hydrants. He stated that if the firefighters had arrived earlier, they could have controlled the fire before it caused significant damage. Donkor also expressed concern about the lack of preparedness and infrastructure in the area, which contributed to the spread of the fire.
The fire has highlighted the need for improved safety measures and infrastructure in the North Industrial Area. The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has announced plans to clear squatters from the area within the next 24 hours. The Mayor stated that the presence of squatters and unauthorized structures is fueling recurrent fire outbreaks and hampering access for emergency services.
Mayor Allotey explained that many of the squatters have erected makeshift structures with highly combustible materials close to factories and warehouses, creating a high fire risk for the entire area. He also stated that the squatters have blocked access routes, which contributed to the delay in firefighting efforts during the Duraplast incident. The Mayor emphasized that the Assembly cannot allow the situation to continue and is taking steps to create fire belts, restore access for fire tenders, and protect lives, property, and industries operating in the North Industrial Area.
The fire has caused significant disruption to businesses operating in the North Industrial Area, with many workers left to pick up the pieces. The incident has also raised concerns about the safety and preparedness of industries in the area. As the investigation into the cause of the fire continues, stakeholders are calling for improved safety measures and infrastructure to prevent such incidents in the future.
Key points
- The fire at the North Industrial Area has caused millions of cedis worth of damage to factories and warehouses.
- The Ghana National Fire Service reported that the fire had been brought under control by about 11 a.m.
- The Mayor of Accra has announced plans to clear squatters from the area within the next 24 hours to improve safety and access for emergency services.
