A devastating fire has swept through a section of Suame Garages in the Ashanti Region, leaving spare parts dealers and artisans counting their losses. The inferno, which broke out late on Friday, January 31, 2025, destroyed numerous workshops and spare parts stores, reducing properties worth millions of cedis to ashes.
The extent of the destruction has left many victims stranded and uncertain about how to recover from the tragedy.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fire spread rapidly, consuming wooden structures, metal workshops, and storage units filled with vehicle parts and machinery. Efforts to control the blaze were hampered by the highly flammable nature of the materials stored in the area. By the time the fire was brought under control, several businesses had been completely wiped out, with traders and artisans left in despair.
Victims suspect that an electrical fault may have triggered the fire. Many of the affected business owners and artisans, who have invested years into their trade, say they have lost everything, including expensive machinery, tools, and imported spare parts. Some lamented that their livelihoods had been completely destroyed, leaving them with no immediate means of income.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded to the emergency, but some affected traders expressed disappointment, claiming the intervention was not swift enough to minimize the destruction. They believe that a quicker response could have salvaged some of the properties. Others also blamed the lack of a dedicated fire station within the Suame Garages enclave for the scale of devastation.
Some artisans and victims directed their frustration at the leadership of the Ghana National Association of Garages, accusing them of failing to allocate space for a fire station in the area. They argued that, given the high risk of fire outbreaks due to the presence of flammable substances such as oils, lubricants, and welding gases, a dedicated fire station should have been established long ago to prevent such disasters.
One affected trader, who gave his name as Kwame Osei, described how he watched helplessly as his entire store burned to the ground. He explained that despite desperate attempts to retrieve some of his wares, the intensity of the fire made it impossible. According to him, years of hard work and savings were lost in a matter of hours, and he now faces the difficult task of starting over.
Another artisan, Adwoa Mensah, who specializes in engine repairs, shared her distress, stating that the fire had consumed all her equipment and that she had no idea how she would continue working. She called on the government and well-meaning individuals to come to their aid, as many of them had no financial backup to recover from such a loss.
Several business owners have joined calls for immediate government intervention to support the affected traders. They are urging authorities to provide financial assistance, as well as measures to prevent future occurrences. Some have suggested that a fire hydrant system should be installed within Suame Garages, alongside a well-equipped fire station, to ensure prompt response to emergencies.
In the aftermath of the fire, many affected individuals have been left with no choice but to salvage whatever little remains of their businesses. Some traders were seen picking through the charred remains of their shops, hoping to recover anything of value. Others have resorted to setting up makeshift stalls as they try to restart their businesses from scratch.
The incident has also sparked a debate about the need for improved safety measures in markets and industrial areas across the country. Experts say that fire outbreaks in commercial hubs like Suame Garages are often worsened by poor wiring systems, lack of fire safety awareness, and inadequate emergency response infrastructure. They have recommended that regular fire safety audits be conducted in such areas to identify and address potential hazards before disasters occur.
In response to the disaster, officials from the Ghana National Fire Service have pledged to investigate the cause of the fire and assess the extent of the damage. They have also reiterated the importance of fire safety measures and urged business owners to adhere to proper wiring standards, store flammable materials safely, and ensure that fire extinguishers are readily available in their workplaces.
Meanwhile, some local leaders and stakeholders have called for urgent government intervention to rebuild the affected sections of Suame Garages. They argue that the area plays a crucial role in Ghana’s automobile industry, providing employment for thousands of people. Any delay in assisting the affected traders, they warn, could have a significant economic impact.
As authorities work to determine the full scope of the disaster, victims continue to grapple with the reality of their losses. Many say they have no insurance coverage and are now relying on support from friends, family, and charitable organizations to get back on their feet. Calls for a disaster relief fund to assist affected traders have gained momentum, with various groups urging the government to act swiftly in addressing their plight.
The fire has served as a wake-up call for both local authorities and traders on the urgent need for better fire prevention strategies. While investigations into the cause of the fire continue, many believe that this disaster should prompt the necessary policy changes to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future.
As traders and artisans at Suame Garages attempt to rebuild, one thing remains clear—without immediate intervention and long-term safety improvements, similar tragedies could occur again, leaving even more livelihoods in ruins.
