Regional Minister Visits Sekondi European Town After Devastating Fire: "This is Unfortunate"
- Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson has visited the scene of the September 9 fire at European Town in Sekondi-Takoradi
- Metro Fire Officer DO1 Michael Tetteh reported that the entire enclave was engulfed in flames upon arrival
- Reports on the ground suggest that the fire began when a settler left a lit candle unattended in one of the wooden structures
Ghana’s top stories, now easier to find. Discover our new search feature!
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson led a government delegation to the scene of the September 9 fire that gutted the European Town Railway area in Sekondi-Takoradi.
The fire is believed to have destroyed 50 makeshift homes and a church, exacerbating the hardships faced by its residents.
Source: Facebook
This marked the second fire incident in the area, after a similar disaster three years prior during a failed attempt by city authorities to clear the informal settlement.
Eyewitnesses described the scene with deep sorrow, drawing parallels to the previous fire and calling for a thorough investigation into the recurring incidents.
Alhaji Abubakar Karmal, Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation for the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Area, noted that he had previously visited the area on July 25, 2025, to educate residents on fire prevention strategies. Little did he know that in a few months, the area would suffer another fire outbreak.
“On the 8th, an outbreak was reported at the Lapaz Market in Accra. We spoke to them about activities that cause fire outbreaks and flooding,” he stated.
Upon arrival at the scene, Metro Fire Officer DO1 Michael Tetteh reported that the entire enclave was engulfed in flames.
His team focused on containing the fire to prevent it from spreading to nearby properties, particularly the Electricity Company of Ghana's facilities.
“Our concentration was to ensure that the fire didn’t move beyond the area.. Because if it did, it would have destroyed properties and caused huge damage,” Tetteh explained.
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, who visited the site with members of the Regional Security Council, described the situation as unfortunate.
Joseph Nelson highlighted the lack of preparedness among residents and their ineffective response strategies during fire outbreaks.
“We still have a chunk of the population who do not remember the emergency number of the fire service to call for early response in case of any fire outbreak, and this is unfortunate,” Joseph Nelson noted.
Preliminary reports suggest that the fire began when a settler left a lit candle unattended in one of the wooden structures.
The fire service team has yet to confirm the exact cause of the incident.
Source: Getty Images
Fire outbreak leaves shop owner helpless
Previously, YEN.com.gh reported that a fire outbreak had been reported at the Lapaz Market in Accra, destroying shops and leaving shop owners in distress and devastated.
The incident, confirmed by Ghana Web, is said to have occurred after midday on Sunday, April 27, 2025.
A video sighted by YEN.com.gh captured a shop engulfed in flames, with the menacing flames extending to other shops on the floor. A shop owner was seen visibly upset as she watched her shop and goods go up in flames.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
