Major Fire Guts Shops Behind Kwame Nkrumah Circle VVIP Station

A fire has gutted several shops and wooden structures behind the VVIP Station at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra. According to reports, the incident occurred on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, with the fire reportedly starting at about 10:00 am. Eyewitnesses said the blaze spread rapidly through the densely packed wooden structures before firefighters arrived. Over 700 displaced as fire ravages slum at Afful Nkwanta Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded swiftly with fire tenders and managed to bring most of the fire under control. No casualties have been reported so far, although the extent of property damage is yet to be fully assessed. In an interview with JoyNews, the Greater Accra Regional Fire Commander, ACFO II Rashid Kwame Nisawu, said the fire engines were promptly deployed to contain the blaze. “We are told it started from a kiosk. We are yet to investigate the exact cause, but there are signs that domestic activity may have contributed. These are things we cannot rule out,” he said. He added that about 80 percent of the fire had been contained. The incident comes amid persistent fire outbreaks across the country. According to GNFS data, 5,585 fire incidents were recorded nationwide between January and November 2025, involving both residential and non-residential properties, including markets. This figure represents a slight decline compared to the 5,596 fire outbreaks. recorded during the same period in 2024 Watch a video of the fire below: JKB/AE Meanwhile, watch as Ghanaians respond to Ofori-Atta's detention