Accra Timber Market Fire: Suspect Arrested for Starting Unattended Rubbish Blaze, GNFS Confirms
A suspect has been arrested in connection with the massive fire that ravaged the Accra Timber Market near Ayalolo School in the early hours of Saturday, September 13, 2025, according to Greater Accra Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), ACFO II Rashid Kwame Nisawu.
The blaze, which destroyed several shops selling wooden planks and hardware, was allegedly sparked by a man who lit rubbish and left it unattended before going to sleep.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom, Nisawu revealed that plainclothes officers gathered intelligence during the firefighting, identifying the man as the culprit.
“He gathered rubbish, set it on fire, went to sleep, and it degenerated into this,” Nisawu said. Police swiftly apprehended the suspect, who is now in custody at James Town Police Station.
The distress call came in at 1:17 a.m., prompting a rapid response with seven fire engines from stations including Accra City, Ministries, Circle, and Legon, supported by three water tankers from GNFS, Accra Metropolitan Assembly, and Ablekuma Municipal Assembly.
The flames were contained by 6:26 a.m., under control by 6:37 a.m., and fully extinguished by 11:44 a.m.
Two firefighters were injured—one from an electric shock and another with arm burns—but both received treatment and were discharged. Acting Chief Fire Officer Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong, along with Deputy Director ACFO II Osmond Anum and other seniors, oversaw operations, successfully shielding nearby structures like the Ayalolo Cluster of Schools.
This incident follows a similar fire at Lartebiokorshie on the same day, also blamed on human negligence by a Chinese national.47d792 GNFS data shows over 300 fires in Greater Accra last year, many from carelessness.
