Authorities have confirmed the death of an 8-year-old girl following a major fire that tore through the Dansoman Market in Accra during the early hours of Wednesday, November 26, 2025. The incident has prompted renewed calls for stronger fire safety measures in markets across the city.
According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the blaze was reported at 12:02 a.m. A crew from the Dansoman Fire Station reached the scene within minutes, but the fire had already intensified and was spreading rapidly through the densely packed wooden structures.
As the situation escalated, fire engines from eight different stations — including Industrial Area, Ministries, National Headquarters, Madina, Weija, Anyaa, and Accra City — were deployed. Two private water tankers from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly were also brought in to support the response.
Firefighters worked for several hours to contain the flames. The blaze was confined shortly before 2 a.m., brought under control at 3:03 a.m., and fully extinguished by 5:21 a.m. after extensive overhaul operations to ensure no hidden hotspots remained.
During the response, emergency teams discovered that an 8-year-old girl had been trapped in one of the heavily affected sections of the market and was unable to escape. Her body was later transferred to the Police for further examination as investigations continue.
The fire destroyed several shops and wooden stalls, causing significant losses for traders who rely on the market for their livelihoods. However, the GNFS noted that swift coordination among firefighting teams prevented the fire from spreading to nearby buildings, avoiding an even larger disaster.
The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined. Fire investigators have begun examining the scene and interviewing witnesses to identify what triggered the incident.
The GNFS is urging market users and residents to practise strict fire safety, especially in congested trading areas where electrical faults, open flames, and improper storage of flammable materials can easily lead to devastating fires.
Source:Africa Publicity
