Duraplast and Local Businesses Count Losses Following 12-Hour Fire in Accra's North Industrial Area

A devastating fire that ripped through Accra’s North Industrial Area has been fully extinguished following a 12-hour operation by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS). The inferno, which began on Wednesday, ravaged two major warehouses and several wooden structures, causing substantial financial losses to businesses and local artisans. While the fire caused extensive property damage, officials have confirmed that no employees were injured during the incident, though some firefighters sustained minor injuries while battling the blaze. The Duraplast facility was among the most severely impacted entities, with its entire stock of finished products destroyed by the flames. Bismack Tsatsu, the Systems Manager at Duraplast, revealed that while the loss of inventory is a significant setback, the company’s main manufacturing factory was successfully shielded from the fire. Tsatsu attributed this preservation to the swift intervention of the GNFS and the effective response of the company’s internal safety team. The site remains a scene of debris as the company begins the arduous task of assessing the full financial magnitude of the disaster. Preliminary investigations into the cause of the outbreak suggest the fire originated from a nearby slum area. Investigators believe a gas cylinder explosion during cooking activities may have sparked the initial flames, which then spread rapidly to the industrial zone. This incident has left several squatters and artisans homeless and without livelihoods, as their makeshift structures and tools were completely consumed. The proximity of informal settlements to high-risk industrial zones has once again come under scrutiny as a major safety hazard for established businesses. In the wake of the disaster, affected traders and industrial stakeholders are calling on the government for urgent intervention and recovery support. Beyond financial assistance, there are growing demands for stricter enforcement of zoning regulations to mitigate the risks posed by nearby informal settlements to industrial operations. As the GNFS concludes its final assessments, the event serves as a stark reminder of the need for enhanced fire safety protocols and better urban planning to protect Accra's vital industrial hubs.