GNFS LEADS MULTI-AGENCY EFFORT TO CONTAIN MASSIVE FUEL FARM FIRE AT SEKONDI FISHING HARBOUR
Gladson Afriyie
Journalist
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The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), in collaboration with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Fire Department, Ghana Navy Fire Service, and Ghana Air Force Fire Service, successfully extinguished a massive fuel farm fire at the Albert Bosomtwe-Sam Fishing Harbour in Sekondi on Sunday, June 21, 2026, without recording any injuries or fatalities.
Firefighters from the Sekondi Metro Fire Station were the first to arrive at the scene, reaching the location just 10 minutes after receiving the distress call at 16:34 hours and immediately commencing firefighting operations. Upon arrival, the crew found a localized fuel storage facility used by fishermen fully engulfed in flames.
A total of four (4) fire tenders and one (1) water tanker were mobilized for the operation, comprising one (1) GNFS fire tender from Sekondi Metro, one (1) fire tender and one (1) water tanker from GPHA, one (1) fire tender from the Ghana Navy, and one (1) fire tender from the Ghana Air Force.
Recognizing the high risk posed by the rapidly spreading flammable liquid fire, firefighters deployed strategic containment measures and large volumes of foam concentrate to suppress the flames and volatile vapours. Through coordinated and aggressive firefighting efforts, the blaze was brought under control at 18:13 hours and completely extinguished at 20:15 hours despite persistent rainfall.
Preliminary assessments indicate that two (2) saloon cars, five (5) surface fuel tanks, numerous fuel drums, underground fuel storage facilities, and portions of the walls of the GPHA Main Administration Block were damaged by the fire.
Preliminary investigations suggest that torrential rains may have triggered a landslide behind the localized fuel farm, causing trees, rocks, and an active electricity pole to collapse onto the fuel storage facilities. The impact of the debris and the electrical sparks generated are believed to have ignited fuel vapours, resulting in the fire outbreak. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire.
Significantly, the swift and tactical response prevented the fire from spreading to the entire fishing harbour, fishing vessels, ECG pylons, and the GPHA main fuel depot, averting what could have been a catastrophic industrial, commercial, and environmental disaster.
The GNFS expresses its profound appreciation to all supporting agencies whose professionalism, teamwork, and dedication contributed immensely to the successful management of the incident.
