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
If I don't stand up to this, if I don't defend it, who else will do this diplomatically?
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.
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.
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.
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.
A fire outbreak at Avenor in the North Industrial Area of Accra on Thursday morning caused extensive destruction, with the Ghana National Fire Service bringing the blaze under control by 11am after it spread across an area populated by wooden kiosks and livestock traders.
The Circle Fire Station received a distress call at 7:18am, and fire service responders mobilised and arrived at the scene with appliances at 7:20am. The fire is said to have started around 7:30am near the Avenor junction, behind the rail line.
Obstacles slowed firefighting efforts
Fire service personnel confronted a number of obstructions while attempting to fight the fire, 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, Public Relations Officer of the Ayawaso Central Municipal Fire Station, told Graphic Online that it took the personnel some time before gaining access to the base of the fire.
Thick columns of black smoke and heavy flames were seen rising from the area by 8am. By 10am, about three hours after the fire started, the situation had intensified and was continuing to spread despite sustained efforts by firefighters to bring the blaze under control.
Emergency response expanded
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, while personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces also arrived at the scene to assist with the emergency response.
As of 11:20am, four fire engines were at the scene with additional engines and fire tenders heading towards the scene. The heavy smoke and flames raised concern among businesses and residents in the area.
An eyewitness told Graphic Online that 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 in the area.
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“If I don't stand up to this, if I don't defend it, who else will do this diplomatically?”
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