Devastating Fire Razes Market Stalls and Homes at Atonsu Bokro, Leaving Hundreds Homeless
A fierce fire has gutted several market stalls and residential houses at Atonsu Bokro in the Asokwa Municipality, leaving hundreds of residents homeless and destroying properties worth millions of cedis.
The blaze broke out around 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2026, and rapidly spread through the densely populated area before firefighters could bring it under control.
The Ghana National Fire Service deployed three fire tenders to the scene. Residents also assisted by fetching water from their homes to help contain the flames.
No casualties were recorded, but the destruction was extensive. One victim, Auntie Ama, whose room and container shop were completely razed, said she lost everything.
“I was not around when the fire started. I only received a call from my neighbours about the outbreak. When I arrived, everything I owned had been burnt. I am left with nothing,” she said, visibly emotional.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and investigations are ongoing.
This incident marks the third major fire outbreak in the Ashanti Region within the past 72 hours, raising serious concerns about fire safety, overcrowding in market and residential areas, and the vulnerability of informal settlements and trading spaces.
Local authorities and the fire service have appealed for calm and cooperation from residents as they work to assess the full extent of damage and support affected families. The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is expected to provide immediate relief to those displaced.
