Massive Fire Razes Newly Opened China City Mall at Santasi Roundabout in Kumasi
A massive fire has engulfed the newly opened China City Mall at Santasi Roundabout in Kumasi, destroying the entire structure and goods worth thousands of cedis. The blaze, which started around 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, produced thick black smoke visible from several kilometers away, drawing crowds and emergency responders to the scene.
The fire service from the Kumasi Metropolitan Fire Station arrived promptly and battled the inferno for over two hours, but the building—stocked with electronics, clothing, and household items—was extensively damaged.
No casualties have been reported, but the mall, which opened in early 2025 and quickly became a popular shopping hub for residents in the Ashanti Region, is now a charred shell.
Eyewitnesses described the chaos: “The fire spread rapidly from one section, and we heard explosions from electrical appliances,” said trader Kofi Mensah, who escaped unharmed.
Videos circulating on social media show flames leaping from the roof, with bystanders filming the inferno as firefighters doused it with water.
The cause remains under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest an electrical fault, common in new constructions with heavy wiring loads. The mall, part of a chain of Chinese-run retail outlets, was insured, but owners estimate losses in the millions.
Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Chief Executive Eric Mensah Osei visited the site, assuring support for affected traders. “We are working with the fire service to determine the cause and prevent recurrences,” he said. The KMA boss, King Zuba, also arrived to assess the damage.
