Abotaose Market fire: One dead, several injured

A fire at the Abotaose Market in the Oti region's Biakoye District claimed at least one life and left several others battling severe burns, according to reports on Saturday, 29th August 2026. The inferno erupted around 2:00pm and quickly spread, consuming multiple market structures. Preliminary investigations suggest the blaze may have ignited after a residential fire made contact with a fuel storage facility, though the exact cause remains under scrutiny.

One individual, who was asleep in a nearby shed at the time, perished when engulfed by the flames, while being rushed to Worawora Hospital. There, he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Those suffering various degrees of burns were also transported to the same facility and are currently undergoing medical treatment. ADOI Desmond Addo, the Acting District Fire Officer for Biakoye, noted that the incident is under investigation to determine the full circumstances.

Despite the efforts of community volunteers, the fire's handling has sparked discussions about emergency response times, as professional firefighters had to journey from Dambai and Kpando to assist. In response, locals and traders are urging for enhanced fire and emergency response capabilities in the area to avert similar delays in the future.