Fire destroys 12 shops near VRA substation at Dwakesiem

A devastating fire has razed twelve shops situated near the Volta River Authority substation in Dwakesiem, located in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality of the Central Region of Ghana. The inferno erupted around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026, resulting in the loss of merchandise and valuable possessions, leaving shop owners grappling with their losses.

The exact cause of the blaze and the total extent of the damage remain undetermined. Emergency responders from the municipality were dispatched to the scene to control the flames. However, reports indicating that the municipal fire tender was out of service have sparked apprehensions regarding the municipality's preparedness to handle emergencies efficiently.

Municipal sources revealed that the fire tender has been inoperable for several months, compelling firefighters to utilize fire extinguishers during some fire incidents. The victims lamented that they were unable to salvage any of their goods or belongings before the fire engulfed them. They are urgently seeking financial and material assistance from individuals, organizations, and the general public to aid in their recovery process.

The municipal water tanker was reported to have arrived at the scene to aid in the firefighting efforts. Despite efforts by Adom News correspondent Mohammed Radiu Dinn Rasko to gather statements from officials of the Ghana National Fire Service regarding the origin of the fire and the response, no comments were obtained. The incident has reignited discussions concerning the availability of functional firefighting equipment within the municipality and the necessity to bolster emergency response mechanisms to safeguard lives, businesses, and property.