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The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in the Ashanti Region has expressed concern over frequent attacks on its personnel and fire tenders following delays in response times.
In Krofuom, a suburb of Kumasi, residents reportedly attacked a fire tender during efforts to extinguish a blaze that gutted Trinity Television, a church, and adjacent properties on Friday morning. The incident forced firefighters to flee the scene under threat of physical harm.
Police intervention was required to restore order and allow another fire tender to address the situation. By the time the fire was subdued, the 18-year-old church building, including a television studio and other facilities, had been reduced to rubble. The damages are estimated at millions of cedis.
The fire began at approximately 9:00 am, spreading from a nearby kiosk to the church and television station, which had just concluded a morning broadcast. Apostle Collins Boadi, the owner of Trinity Television, recounted the ordeal, stating, “At about 9:10 am, we noticed a container behind us was burning. A lot of properties have been destroyed. We were preparing to outdoor a new studio on December 31.”
An eyewitness, Solomon, condemned the attacks on the fire personnel, noting, “When they came, people started pelting them with stones, so they left to protect themselves. The police intervened. This is not the first time something like this has happened. The authorities must caution people against such behavior.”
The GNFS has reiterated its dismay over the recurring violence against its officers, which hampers their ability to respond effectively to emergencies. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, with no casualties reported at this time.
Authorities are urging the public to cooperate with emergency responders to prevent further disruptions in firefighting efforts.
