Crime

Fire at Avenor Destroys Buildings

Big Man•2 hours ago•2 min read

Summary by NSEM

A fire outbreak at Avenor in Accra's North Industrial Area on Thursday morning destroyed multiple buildings, with firefighters bringing the blaze under control by 11am. The fire started around 7:30am in an area with wooden kiosks used by li

A fire outbreak at Avenor in the North Industrial Area of Accra on Thursday morning caused extensive destruction in the area. The Ghana National Fire Service received a distress call at 7:18am and mobilised responders who arrived at the scene at 7:20am. By 11am, the team had brought the fire under control.

The fire is said to have started around 7:30am near the Avenor junction, behind the rail line. The area where the fire started is commonly referred to as Kofikrom, where a number of wooden kiosks are located with many goat and cattle traders operating in the area.

## Response and obstacles

The Ayawaso Central Municipal Fire Station Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, ADO1 Nana Tuffuor, said the Circle Fire Station received the distress call about the incident at 7:18am. Within two minutes, the first fire service responders mobilised and arrived at the scene at 7:20am with their appliances.

In the attempt to fight the fire, personnel confronted a number of obstructions, especially as the area had a lot of wooden kiosks, which prevented the personnel from gaining immediate access to the base of the fire. ADO1 Nana Tuffuor told Graphic Online that it took the personnel some time before gaining access to the base of the fire.

## Escalation and emergency response

Thick columns of black smoke and heavy flames were seen rising from the area by 8am. The situation had intensified by 10am, about three hours after the fire started, and it was continuing to spread despite sustained efforts by firefighters to bring the blaze under control.

As of 11:20am, there were four fire engines at the scene with additional engines and fire tenders heading towards the scene. The growing intensity of the fire triggered a heightened emergency response, which saw more security officers being dispatched to the area.

Police personnel increased their presence to control the situation and kept people away from the affected area. Personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces also arrived at the scene to assist with the emergency response. The heavy smoke and flames raised concern among businesses and residents in the area.

Key points

Police arrest 64 suspects in Achimota lounge firearms operation

“The Office of the Special Operations Assistant to the Inspector-General of Police (SOA), in collaboration with the National SWAT, has arrested 64 suspects for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition at a lounge near Achimota Mile 7 in the Greater Accra Region.”

A major coordinated law enforcement operation resulted in the arrest of dozens of individuals suspected of illegal firearms possession, indicating a significant crackdown on armed criminal activity in the Greater Accra area.

Fake police officer arrested with loaded pistol during raid

“One of the suspects, Theophilus Ashon, presented himself as a police officer attached to CID Operations. Checks, however, established that he was not a police officer. A search of him led to the recovery of a Smith & Wesson pistol loaded with six rounds of 9mm ammunition.”

The arrest of an imposter claiming police credentials highlights the danger of fraudulent law enforcement and suggests organized criminal networks may be using false identities to evade detection.

Large cache of weapons recovered from suspect's residence

“A search of his residence resulted in the recovery of three pump action guns, four pistols, 62 AA and BB cartridges, 54 rounds of 40 calibre ammunition, and other exhibits.”

The discovery of multiple firearms and substantial ammunition at one suspect's home indicates a significant weapons trafficking or storage operation, underscoring the scale of illegal arms circulation in the region.

Operation triggered by community complaints about lounge activities

“The operation followed complaints from residents about suspected criminal activities at the lounge and its surroundings, including the open display and possible trade in firearms.”

Community tip-offs were instrumental in initiating the police action, demonstrating the importance of public cooperation in combating organized crime and illegal weapons trafficking.

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