A devastating fire outbreak at Suame Magazine Zone 18 in Kumasi has claimed the life of a 70-year-old woman and destroyed several properties, according to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, May 16, 2026, near the garages at Suame Magazine, a major industrial and commercial hub in the Ashanti Region.
In a press release issued by the Ashanti Regional Command of the GNFS, the Service said the Breman Fire Station received a distress call at about 3:22 a.m. reporting a fire involving structures, vehicles, and vehicle spare parts within the area.
A combined firefighting team from the Breman and Komfo Anokye Fire Stations, led by Station Officer One (STNO I) Ampaabeng, was immediately dispatched to the scene and arrived at 3:34 a.m.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the blaze fully developed and engulfing three wooden structures, three metal containers, four vehicles, and nine DAF vehicle engines.
The GNFS said the crew adopted both offensive and defensive firefighting strategies, successfully bringing the fire under control by 3:59 a.m. before completely extinguishing it at about 4:51 a.m. using water and foam.
Tragically, a 70-year-old woman identified as Madam Bawama Naya was trapped in the inferno and lost her life. Her charred remains were later handed over to officers from the Suame District Police Command for preservation and further investigation.
Despite the extensive destruction, firefighters managed to salvage three Sprinter buses, one Smiling Benz bus, and one Opanka bus from the flames.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The GNFS has meanwhile cautioned operators within industrial and commercial enclaves to strictly adhere to fire safety measures to prevent similar incidents.
The statement was signed by DO III Atta-Aheng Mensah, Public Relations Officer for the Ashanti Region.
