Accra industrial fire sparks demolition of unauthorized settlements

A massive fire broke out on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in the Kofikrom area of Avenor, located near the North Industrial Area in Accra. The blaze, which began around 7:30 am in a wooden structure, spread to the Duraplast company site, where the presence of hydrocarbons required firefighters to use chemical foam to contain the flames.

While the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confined the blaze and stated that no casualties are officially confirmed, eyewitnesses reported that several people, including a child, were trapped in the densely populated settlement. Local officials, including Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey, noted reports of at least one fatality, though verification is ongoing.

In response to the incident, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), supported by the Ghana Armed Forces, demolished unauthorized structures in Kofikrom to create emergency access routes. Mayor Allotey ordered squatters to vacate the area within 24 hours, noting that the settlement had previously been given notice to leave. Duraplast Limited has announced it intends to resume operations on October 5.