A massive fire swept through the North Industrial Area at Avenor in Accra, Ghana, on October 1, 2026, destroying properties and spreading into the premises of plastics manufacturing firm, Duraplast Ghana. The blaze started around 7:30 a.m. at Kofikrom, near the ECG Avenor office, and quickly intensified, sending thick plumes of smoke across the industrial enclave. Residents, traders, and workers were forced to flee as the fire raged on.
Firefighters from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded quickly, with multiple fire engines working to bring the fire under control. However, operations were hampered by poor access, with cargo trucks and the absence of accessible roads blocking routes to the fire scene. Large quantities of plastic materials in the area fueled the blaze, making it challenging to contain.
The fire spread into the Duraplast factory, destroying its entire pipe stock and water storage tanks. Marketing Manager of Duraplast, Emmanuel Donkor, who arrived at the facility around 6:45 a.m., said the fire started from illegal structures behind the company’s wall. He noted that two fire tenders initially arrived but struggled to contain the blaze.
The company's fire hydrants were empty at the time of the incident, and Duraplast had to contact Ghana Water for emergency support. Donkor described the losses as enormous, stating that all the company's pipes had been destroyed. The military intervened to support firefighting efforts, with personnel clearing temporary structures blocking access routes.
There are concerns about potential fatalities, with eyewitnesses suggesting that two people, including a two-week-old baby, may have died in the fire. However, the GNFS says reports of fatalities remain unverified. The cause of the fire is also being investigated, with some eyewitnesses suggesting that a gas cylinder explosion may have triggered the blaze.
The GNFS will conduct investigations to establish the cause of the fire after containment operations are completed. The incident has highlighted the need for improved safety measures and emergency preparedness in industrial areas. The government and relevant agencies are expected to take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The fire at Duraplast has significant implications for the plastics manufacturing industry in Ghana and the country's economic development. The incident is a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and emergency preparedness in industrial operations.
Key points
- The fire at Duraplast was caused by a blaze that started from illegal structures behind the company's wall.
- The incident has significant implications for the plastics manufacturing industry in Ghana and the country's economic development.
- The GNFS will conduct investigations to establish the cause of the fire after containment operations are completed.
