The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is investigating a suspected power-restoration fault as a possible trigger of the fire that destroyed about 15 shops at the Kumasi Central Market near the Aboabo station on Friday evening, October 9, 2026.
Ashanti Regional Fire Commander, ACFO I Peter Tetteh, said preliminary eyewitness accounts indicate the fire started shortly after electricity returned following a brief power outage. He stressed that the cause has not yet been established and investigations are ongoing.
The commander spoke on Saturday, October 10, while touring the affected area with Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister Mahama Ayariga, Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene and Kumasi Mayor Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi.
Mr Ayariga, who visited on the directive of President John Dramani Mahama, assured traders that government will support them once the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) completes its damage assessment.
Kumasi Central Market fire: what investigators suspect
According to ACFO I Tetteh, eyewitnesses told fire officers that the blaze broke out within minutes of power being restored to the area. “In three minutes, the light came back on,” he quoted one account as saying.
The GNFS has not confirmed a cause, and assessments of the total financial losses are still continuing.
How firefighters contained the Kumasi market blaze
Traders who had received basic fire safety training first tried to put out the flames with portable extinguishers, but the fire spread too quickly.
The first fire appliance, from Asokore Mampong, arrived at 8:39 pm. Crews then set up containment lines to stop the fire from spreading to other sections of the market.
The commander said water supply was not a problem during the operation. “We didn’t have a problem with water at all yesterday,” he said.
However, congestion and obstructions caused by traders rushing to retrieve their goods made it difficult for crews to move around and reach affected areas, despite the presence of police. “There were a lot of obstructions yesterday,” he added.
Kumasi Central Market fire in figures
- Date: Friday evening, October 9, 2026
- Location: Kumasi Central Market, near the Aboabo station
- Shops affected: About 15
- First fire appliance on scene: 8:39 pm (from Asokore Mampong)
- Appliances deployed: 5 — four fire tenders and one water tanker
- Suspected trigger (under investigation): Power restoration after a brief outage
- Financial losses: Still being assessed
The incident came on the same evening that a separate fire was reported at Sokoban Ampayoo, near Kumasi Hospital. The causes of both fires were not immediately known.
Government support for Kumasi Central Market fire victims
Mr Ayariga said he was with President Mahama in Goaso, Ahafo Region, on the “Accounting to the People Tour” when he received a situation report on the fire. The President directed him to travel to Kumasi, assess the damage and convey his sympathies to the traders.
“We will put our heads together to see how we can lift you out of this unfortunate situation,” the minister told the traders. He added that “when we get the report from NADMO, we will explore every opportunity that exists to support the victims.”
In coordination with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), government has also agreed to allow affected shop owners to temporarily restore their trading spaces before Christmas, provided the areas meet structural safety requirements. KMA engineers will first carry out urgent structural integrity tests on the affected sections.
Kejetia Market Phase 2 to resume
Mr Ayariga blamed congestion in the market on the incomplete Phase 2 of the Kejetia Market redevelopment project. He said the issues that stalled the project have been resolved and the contractor will soon return to site, although no specific restart date was given.
He added that government is mobilising resources to begin Phase 3, which is expected to create more trading space and ease congestion.
What it means for Kumasi traders
For the traders who lost shops and goods, the immediate relief depends on NADMO’s assessment report, which will guide the kind of support government provides.
Traders could also be back in business before the Christmas season, one of the busiest trading periods of the year, if their spaces pass KMA’s structural safety checks.
The minister cautioned traders against poor electrical wiring, cooking inside the market and the use of substandard electrical materials, which he said are behind some market fires. He also credited the GNFS for containing the blaze and said government is working to give the Service more equipment. Fire safety guidance is available from the Ghana National Fire Service.
Kumasi Central Market, one of West Africa’s largest open-air trading centres, has suffered recurring fires in recent years. The latest incident follows other major blazes this month, including the Avenor fire in Accra where GNFS deployed eight tenders.
What happens next
- The GNFS will continue investigations to establish the exact cause of the fire.
- NADMO will assess the damage and submit a report to guide government support.
- KMA engineers will conduct structural integrity tests before traders return to affected sections.
- The Kejetia Market Phase 2 contractor is expected back on site, with Phase 3 funding being mobilised.
Key details at a glance
- Fire hit Kumasi Central Market near Aboabo station on Friday evening, October 9, 2026.
- About 15 shops were affected.
- GNFS suspects a power-restoration fault but says the cause is not yet confirmed.
- Five fire appliances were deployed; the first arrived at 8:39 pm.
- Minister Mahama Ayariga visited on President Mahama’s directive and promised government support after NADMO’s report.
- Traders may restore shops before Christmas if spaces pass KMA structural tests.
- Stalled Kejetia Market Phase 2 works are set to resume soon.
FAQs
What caused the Kumasi Central Market fire?
The cause has not been confirmed. The Ghana National Fire Service is investigating a suspected fault linked to power being restored after a brief outage, based on eyewitness accounts.
How many shops were burnt in the Kumasi Central Market fire?
About 15 shops were affected by the fire near the Aboabo station, according to Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga.
Will government support the Kumasi Central Market fire victims?
Yes. Government says it will support affected traders after NADMO submits its damage assessment report, and KMA will allow traders to restore their spaces before Christmas if they pass safety checks.
The Kumasi Central Market fire has once again exposed the risks of congestion and faulty electrical connections in one of Ghana’s busiest markets. While the GNFS works to confirm the cause, affected traders are counting on NADMO’s assessment, government’s promised support and the long-awaited completion of the Kejetia Market project to get back on their feet.
