A devastating tragedy unfolded in East Legon on Saturday, October 12, 2024, as two vehicles were consumed by a raging fire that claimed the lives of two occupants, burning them beyond recognition. The harrowing incident left two individuals trapped inside an Acura vehicle, with no chance of escape, as flames quickly overtook the car.
According to ADO Alex King Nartey, a spokesperson for the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the fire was ignited after an electric pole fell onto one of the vehicles following a collision. “There was a collision at East Legon, close to the Omama Shop, involving an Acura vehicle and a Jaguar. The impact caused the wooden electric pole to fall, and its wires sparked a fire after landing on the Acura,” he explained. “Two people were trapped in the car, and although they were burned beyond recognition, we determined that they were women.”
The horrific fire, which erupted in the aftermath of the collision, rapidly spread, engulfing both vehicles. The passengers of the Acura had no means of escape as the flames intensified, tragically sealing their fate. Meanwhile, the two other passengers in the Jaguar vehicle were reported to have been rushed to the hospital, though their conditions remain unclear.
Eyewitnesses at the scene recounted the terrifying moments as the fire spread uncontrollably. Thick black smoke billowed from the vehicles, attracting onlookers who could do nothing but watch in horror as the fire devoured the two cars. Some onlookers recorded video footage of the scene, which was later shared by the GNFS on social media. The videos depicted the electric pole sparking dangerously before the fire spread to the vehicles, completely engulfing them.
In the aftermath of the blaze, there were no opportunities for the four occupants to escape. The fire’s intensity, fueled by the fallen electric wires, trapped the passengers inside the vehicles, claiming the lives of the two in the Acura before emergency responders could arrive. By the time firefighters from the GNFS reached the scene, it was too late to save the occupants of the Acura, though they quickly worked to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further.
The GNFS, while acknowledging the swift response of its personnel, expressed sorrow over the tragic loss of life. Despite their prompt arrival, the fire had already consumed both vehicles, leaving little they could do to rescue the victims trapped inside.
As investigations continue, this incident serves as a painful reminder of the dangers posed by both collisions and live electric wires in such accidents. For the families of the victims, the devastating fire has left behind grief and sorrow, while the wider community grapples with the shock of witnessing such a horrific tragedy in their midst.
In the meantime, the GNFS has urged drivers to exercise caution, especially when driving in areas near electric poles, and called for the immediate repair and maintenance of electrical infrastructure to prevent such incidents from recurring. As residents of East Legon and beyond come to terms with the tragedy, the community mourns the loss of the two individuals whose lives were tragically cut short in the blaze.
