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The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is battling a major fire outbreak at a rubber factory near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange in Accra, as heavy rainfall and widespread flooding continue to hamper emergency response efforts across the capital.
The fire broke out on Monday amid torrential rains that have left several parts of Accra submerged, creating difficult conditions for firefighters attempting to contain the blaze.
Speaking in an interview with Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Assistant Division Officer One (ADO1) Alex King Nartey, Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, confirmed that four fire tenders had been deployed to the scene to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby structures.
Although the cause of the fire remains unknown, the Fire Service said personnel were working tirelessly to bring the situation under control despite the challenging weather conditions.
ADO1 Nartey also revealed that firefighters had earlier responded to and successfully extinguished a separate house fire at Blue Lagoon in Sakaman.
However, he explained that severe flooding across Accra had significantly disrupted emergency operations, preventing reinforcement teams from reaching affected areas on time.
“When the team got to Sakaman, they needed reinforcement, but when the Circle team moved, they were stranded at Kaneshie,” he said.
The Fire Service assured the public that despite the adverse weather, firefighters remain fully committed to responding to emergencies across the city.
Beyond the factory fire, the GNFS has also deployed rescue teams to flood-prone communities to assist residents trapped by rising floodwaters.
Several roads and low-lying areas have become impassable following the heavy rains, with some motorists abandoning their vehicles while others struggled through flooded streets.
Among the worst-hit areas are sections of the N1 Highway, Apenkwa towards Tesano, the Accra-Kasoa Highway, Weija, Mallam, Achimota, Spintex, Atomic Junction in Madina, Kaneshie, Darkuman Junction, parts of the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange, and surrounding communities.
Emergency responders continue to monitor the situation as rainfall persists, while residents have appealed for intensified rescue efforts, warning that the combination of widespread flooding and the ongoing factory fire could lead to further destruction if conditions worsen.
