The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has disclosed that the tragic fire incident on the Accra-Nsawam highway caused by a Fuel Tanker claimed the lives of six, with seven injured.
In a press release signed by Ignatius K. Baidoo, Divisional Officer Three (DO III) and Eastern Regional Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, confirmed that the fire outbreak occurred around 4:45 am Saturday, February 14, 2026 and claimed six lives.
The GNFS detailed that three persons died at the scene, with three others succumbing to their injuries at the Koforidua Regional Hospital.
The GNFS press release stated, “The Eastern Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed a tragic road traffic accident that resulted in a fire outbreak at Signboard near Okanta, off the Accra-Nsawam Highway, in the early hours of Saturday, February 14, 2026
2. The Service received the distress call at 0445 hours and deployed firefighters from the Suhum Fire Station. The crew arrived to find a fully developed vehicular fire involving a petrol tanker carrying about 54,000 litres of fuel, a VIP bus, three (3) saloon cars, and four (4) motorbikes, all engulfed in flames and extensively damaged
3. Due to the intensity and rapid spread of the fire, reinforcement was requested, and firefighters from the Bunso Fire Station were deployed to augment operations
4. Through coordinated and tactical firefighting efforts, including the application of foam compound, the fire was brought under control at 0824 hours and completely extinguished at 1 108 hours
5. A total of 15 casualties were recorded (11 males and 4 females). Three (3) victims (two males, one female) tragically died at the scene, and their badly charred bodies were handed over to the Police for preservation and further investigation. Twelve (12) injured were taken to Nsawam Hospital, where two (2) were discharged, including one (1) against medical advice. Ten (10) critical patients (8 males, 2 females) were referred to Koforidua Regional Hospital
6. Unfortunately, three (3) of these patients (2 males, 1 female) later died. The remaining seven (7), comprising 2 male children, 4 male adults, and 1 female, are still receiving treatment at the Koforidua Regional Hospital.
7, Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary assessments suggest that sparks generated during attempts by some individuals to illegally breach the petrol tanker using) Cutting tools may have ignited petrol vapours, leading to the intense fire that engulfed vehicles travelling along that road at the time of the incident.
The swift intervention of firefighters prevented a potential explosion. The fatalities were reportedly trapped by the sudden fire following ignition of the petrol vapour cloud.
9. The Ghana National Fire Service strongly cautions the public against fuel siphoning. which is illegal and extremely dangerous, and urges the public to stay away from accident scenes involving flammable substances and 1o immediately alert emergency services
10. The Eastern Regional Command of the GNFS extends its heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident, and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured, both those discharged and those still receiving treatment.
11. The Eastern Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service remains committed to protecting lives and property and appeals for public cooperation 1o enhance fire safety across the region”.
See the statement below:
