Sunyani Fires Claim Four Lives in Separate Night Incidents as Authorities Probe Causes
Four People Die in Separate Night Fires in Sunyani
Four people have been confirmed dead in two separate fire incidents in Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital, within 24 hours. The tragic events occurred amid heavy rainfall and have prompted investigations by both the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
In the first incident, a couple identified as Nana Ameyaw Ampofo, 65, and Grace Adu Boafoawaa, 49, lost their lives when fire swept through their home at New Dormaa Asuakwaa, a suburb of the Sunyani East Municipality, on the night of October 19, 2025.
According to a statement from the Bono Regional Police Command signed by Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, officers received a distress call late Sunday night and rushed to the scene. Firefighters were already working to control the flames when police arrived.
Both victims were discovered burnt beyond recognition in the kitchen area of the residence. A Toyota Highlander and a pickup truck parked nearby sustained partial damage. Their bodies have since been taken to the Sunyani Teaching Hospital mortuary for autopsy.
The police, working with GNFS, have begun a joint investigation to determine the cause of the blaze. The incident reportedly occurred during a downpour that hit several parts of Sunyani that night. Other occupants of the building managed to escape unhurt.
Residents of Asuakwaa have been left devastated by the tragedy.”, reported crowds gathering in disbelief as authorities worked to clear the debris.
The Bono Regional Fire Service Public Relations Officer, ADO1 Kwame Adomako, confirmed that by the time firefighters arrived, the flames had reached an advanced stage, making rescue efforts difficult.
In a separate incident that same night, two young men died in a fire that gutted a carpentry workshop at Penkwasi, another suburb of Sunyani. The deceased were identified as Reagan Kofi Atuahene and Alhassan Sherif Majeed.
Eyewitnesses said the fire started shortly after midnight while five workers were sleeping inside the workshop. Three managed to escape, but the other two were trapped inside the inferno.
“We woke up to smoke everywhere and struggled to get out. Three of us escaped, but the other two couldn’t make it,” recounted Zakari Abdul Mali, one of the survivors.
Another witness, Rachel Duku, the brother of the shop owner, said he narrowly escaped after managing to open the locked door as flames spread rapidly through the building.
The bodies of the deceased have also been deposited at the Sunyani Teaching Hospital morgue.
The Bono Regional Commander of the GNFS, ACFO II Cecil Risch Addo, said preliminary investigations are ongoing and assured the public that the findings will be made known once completed.
“We have started investigations and are following leads to understand what exactly happened. The public will be informed once we have the facts,” he said.
According to GNFS data, the Bono Region has recorded over 150 fire outbreaks since January 2025, raising concerns about fire safety awareness, electrical faults, and poor adherence to safety protocols, especially in residential and workshop areas.
The back-to-back incidents highlight the urgent need for improved fire prevention and response systems across Ghana’s regional capitals. With many homes and businesses relying on faulty wiring, outdated electrical appliances, and limited access to fire hydrants, experts warn that similar tragedies could recur if safety practices are not strengthened.
Public education on fire safety, particularly during the rainy season when electrical surges are common, remains a key recommendation by the GNFS.
The double tragedy in Sunyani serves as a painful reminder of how quickly lives and livelihoods can be lost to preventable fires. As investigations continue, residents are urged to remain vigilant, ensure electrical safety, and report fire risks promptly to authorities.
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