Three dead, five firefighters injured in Odumasi fire incident

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed that three people have died and five firefighters were injured in a devastating fire outbreak at Odumasi, opposite Barika Herbal.

A statement issued by Ashanti Regional Public Relations Officer, Divisional Officer II Peter Addai, said an unknown number of civilians also sustained injuries, while the injured firefighters have since been treated and discharged from the Asante Akim Central Government Hospital.

The fire, which broke out on March 5 at 7:03 pm, rapidly spread to nearby structures, affecting 30 buildings and eight shops.

DO III Addai explained that upon the firefighters’ arrival at 7:13 p.m., an explosion from a shop containing explosives injured five crew members and damaged their fire tender.

The pump operator collapsed, preventing them from initiating firefighting efforts.

"Hostile civilians pelted stones at responders, forcing them to withdraw. A backup crew from FK Jersey (Ejisu) was dispatched but did not proceed to the scene due to security concerns," he stated.

He added that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.