Police Arrest Suspect Connected to the Accra Timber Market Fire
- There was a fire incident at the Timber Market that started around 1:17 am near the Aayalolo School on Saturday, September 14, 2025
- The Ghana Police arrested the suspect who started the fire after an initial investigation, and is aiding with further probe
- Two Fire officers who were helping douse the fire have been treated and discharged after they sustained various injuries
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The Ghana Police have apprehended a suspect in connection with the fire that razed the Accra Timber Market in the early hours of Saturday, September 13, 2025.
This was disclosed by Greater Accra Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), ACFO II Rashid Kwame Nisawu.
Source: UGC
In an interview with Accra-based Channel One TV, ACFO II Nisawu stated that initial investigations revealed that one man burning his rubbish left it unattended, which sparked the fire.
He said plainclothed fire officers, through conversations with those present, gathered the information.
“Indeed, through the firefighting, what we normally do is that during the firefighting, we also deploy some plainclothed officers to fish out for information. And what we gathered was that there is this gentleman who gathers some rubbish around and sets it on fire, went to sleep, and this thing degenerated, and that is the result we are having,” he explained.
The fire officers relayed the information to the police officials, who acted swiftly and got the suspect arrested.
“The good thing is that this morning, the Police Commander came to report to the Chief Fire Officer — I was around — that they have been able to apprehend the gentleman and currently, as we speak, the alleged suspect is now in police custody at James Town Police Station.”
The fire at the Timber Market started around 1:17 am near the Aayalolo School. It destroyed many shops.
Seven fire engines from stations across Accra, backed by one GNFS water tanker and two others from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and Ablekuma Municipal Assembly, battled the blaze.
The flames were contained by 6:26 a.m., brought under control by 6:37 a.m., and fully extinguished by 11:44 a.m.
Two firefighters sustained injuries while attempting to put out the fire. One was from an electric shock, and another had burns on the arm. Both have since been treated and discharged.
Watch the video below:
Reactions to the Timber Market fire
YEN.com.gh collated some reactions to the Accra Timber Market fire video shared by @sikaofficial1 on X. Read them below:
@evils_only said:
"Eeeeeeeiiiiii, but this whole place was full of business or wood eeeiiiiii then people have lost huge amounts of money oooo herh eeiiiii how are they going to get the money to start again."
@TonyBlair33 wrote:
"If it is the doing of someone, too, it's up to the person."
@DorcasNkansah6 said:
"Oh God, what’s happening these days?"
@benneh_ernest wrote:
"No safety precautions in those places. This is not surprising to me."
@AgbeySelor8982 said:
"Hmmmm, monies go like that ooo."
@Highest_45 wrote:
"💔 again hmm."
Lapaz market catches fire
YEN.com.gh reported that fire destroyed a shop at the Lapaz Market in the Greater Accra region on April 27, 2025.
Reports indicate that the shop owners tried to gain the attention of the Fire Service for more than an hour.
Many commented after they saw an aggrieved victim in shock after seeing her shop on fire.
Source: YEN.com.gh
