Fire Tender from Tamale Metro Station Catches Fire En Route to Emergency, Sustains Partial Damage
A fire tender (DPT No. FS 450) from the Tamale Metro Fire Station was partially damaged after it caught fire while responding to an emergency call at Sakpaligu, a suburb of Tamale along the Savelugu Highway.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, when an eight-member crew, led by Station Officer (STNO I) Mohammad Gadafi, was dispatched following reports of a fire outbreak.
While en route, the tyres of the fire tender suddenly burst into flames, forcing the driver to veer off the road into a nearby ditch to bring the vehicle to a safe stop. The crew acted swiftly, using onboard equipment to extinguish the fire and bring the situation under control.
Fortunately, no casualties were recorded among the crew or the public. However, the appliance sustained partial damage to the underside of the rear offside axle.
A backup fire tender from the Sagnarigu Fire Station was immediately deployed to continue the response to the original emergency incident at Sakpaligu.
The damaged vehicle has since been towed to the Northern Regional Fire Service Headquarters for detailed assessment, repairs, and necessary follow-up action.
The Ghana National Fire Service has not yet released an official statement on the possible cause of the tyre fire — whether mechanical failure, overheating, or another factor — but investigations are underway. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the condition and maintenance of firefighting equipment, especially in regions with high demand for emergency response.
The Northern Regional Fire Command has assured the public that emergency services remain fully operational, with contingency measures ensuring no disruption to response capabilities.
No injuries were reported from the original fire outbreak that the tender was responding to, though further details on that incident have not been made public at this time. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
