Five Dead, One Missing as GNFS Rescues 479 in Flood and Fire Operations

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) says its personnel rescued 479 people and responded to multiple emergency incidents across Accra, Tema and surrounding communities over a three-day period marked by heavy rains, flooding, fire outbreaks and a building collapse.

According to the Service, firefighters and rescue teams remained on high alert from Sunday, June 28, to Tuesday, June 30, responding to a wide range of emergencies including flood rescues, fire outbreaks, structural emergencies and rescue operations.

The coordinated operations, carried out in collaboration with other emergency response agencies, resulted in the safe evacuation of 479 people.

However, the Service confirmed that five people lost their lives during the period, one person was injured, and another remains missing.

Early fire incidents

The emergency response began on Sunday, June 28, with two separate fire outbreaks in Accra that were brought under control without casualties.

The first occurred at Lartebiokorshie, where firefighters from the Industrial Area Fire Station responded to a domestic fire at about 8:31 a.m. The blaze was contained within 25 minutes and fully extinguished by 9:29 a.m., destroying one room and its contents while saving adjacent structures.

Later that afternoon, personnel from the Trade Fair Fire Station responded to a commercial fire at Labadi Kojo Sardine at 12:49 p.m. The fire, which damaged a metal container and its contents, was brought under control within half an hour. Preliminary findings suggest an overcharged solar panel battery may have triggered the blaze.

At Asutuare Junction, firefighters also battled a burning fuel tanker. The fire was eventually contained, but the tanker and its contents were completely destroyed. One person sustained injuries and was hospitalised, while another died. Investigations are ongoing.

Flood emergencies and mass rescues

Following Monday’s heavy rains, the GNFS intensified flood response operations in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service Marine Unit, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Ghana Armed Forces.

At Tse-Ado Last Stop in Accra, a joint operation rescued 105 people trapped by floodwaters, including women, men and children.

In the Tema Region, firefighters responded to 23 emergency cases within 24 hours, including fire outbreaks, flood incidents and fallen trees. Twelve people were rescued from floodwaters, while more than 50 residents were assisted to safety in Tema Newtown.

However, one female trader is reported missing after being swept away near the Tema Community One Market.

Structural collapse and large-scale evacuation

At Tabora No. 6 in Accra, firefighters responded to a four-storey building collapse. All 12 occupants had safely evacuated before the structure gave way, avoiding casualties.

By early Tuesday, June 30, emergency teams had concluded major rescue operations along the Adabraka–Odawna corridor, where more than 300 people were evacuated from floodwaters.

Despite the large-scale rescue efforts, four people—three males and one female—died in the flooding.

Firefighters also contained a major blaze at the Odawna Rubber Market near Kwame Nkrumah Circle, preventing the fire from spreading to adjoining structures.

Overall toll

The GNFS confirmed that across the three-day period, 479 people were safely rescued or evacuated.

A total of five deaths were recorded—four from flooding and one from fire-related incidents. One person remains missing, while all occupants of the collapsed building survived.

The Service has stationed personnel at key hotspots, including the Odawna market area, to prevent re-ignition and respond to further emergencies.