China City Mall: Fire Service Shares Major Regulatory Failings at Kumasi Facility Gutted by Inferno
- China City Mall in Kumasi gutted by a fire on October 30, did not meet certain safety requirements
- Head of Public Relations of the service, Desmond E. Ackah, explained why a key lapse contributed to the devastating fire
- The cause of the fire, which broke out on Thursday, October 30, 2025, remains uncertain
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The Ghana National Fire Service has said China City Mall at Kumasi Santasi Roundabout, which was destroyed by fire on October 30, had a major regulatory failing.
It did not have a fire hydrant or mechanised borehole to help contain the blaze.
Source: Facebook
Head of Public Relations of the service, Desmond E. Ackah, told Channel One TV that the absence of these critical safety features contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
Ackah said the mall had been operating for only six months and was still in the process of meeting some safety requirements.
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Man confronted after running into burning China City Mall to retrieve his belongings, video
“No, they didn’t have a fire hydrant. Once you meet the basic fire safety requirements, you are permitted to start operation. But the requirement is such that it is progressive, so you move from the less costly one to the high costly one."
“They were going to be asked to get a fire hydrant or an alternative water storage. But that has not been done.
Ackah also criticised sections of the public who obstructed fire personnel during the operation.
Although the mall, which housed shops selling groceries, electronics, and household items, was completely destroyed, authorities confirmed that there were no casualties.
Kumasi Mayor consoles China Mall staff
The Kumasi Mayor, Richard Kwasi Ofori, went to the China City Mall at Kumasi Santasi Roundabout when news broke about a fire breaking out on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
The mayor, popularly called Zuba, was there for himself and to ensure that everything that needed to be done to fight the fire was being done.
The mayor was notably seen consoling a Chinese national who was crying following a devastating fire.
There was also some tension on the ground as a man was confronted by his peers after he risked his life to retrieve his belongings inside the China City Shopping Mall in Kumasi-Santasi amid the raging fire.
Source: Twitter
Eyewitnesses reported that the man, driven by desperation or necessity, braved the inferno to salvage his bag, which he believed contained critical items.
The video showed the young man emerging from the smoke-filled mall, bag in hand, only to be met by a group of individuals, including security personnel and bystanders.
In a moment of tension, he was reprimanded by men who were outside the mall, seemingly in an effort to prevent further risk-taking amidst the dangerous conditions.
Fire destroys over 100 shops at Suame
Also in the Ashanti Region, YEN.com.gh reported that a fire broke out at the Suame Post Office market, resulting in widespread destruction.
Reports indicated that between 100 and 300 shops were destroyed, with traders and residents claiming that firefighters arrived at the scene too late to prevent major losses.
Source: YEN.com.gh
