Midnight fire ravages Mallam Atta market in Accra New Town

A devastating fire broke out late Wednesday night at the Mallam Atta Market in Accra New Town, reducing several stalls and properties to ashes.

The incident, which occurred shortly after midnight, caused widespread panic among traders and residents as thick clouds of smoke billowed across the area. Many rushed to the scene in an attempt to save their goods, but the speed of the flames made it nearly impossible.

Firefighters from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded swiftly, deploying three fire engines from the National Headquarters, Flagstaff House, and Circle Fire Stations to contain the blaze. The inferno, however, spread rapidly due to the tightly packed stalls and the large presence of wooden structures, making firefighting operations extremely challenging.

Witnesses say the fire began in one section of the market before quickly spreading to adjoining areas. Some traders who operate at the site said they were alerted by residents who noticed smoke rising from a cluster of shops. “By the time we got here, everything was already burning,” one distraught trader recounted.

According to fire officers at the scene, access to the affected sections was severely hindered by narrow pathways and improperly constructed stalls, which delayed efforts to bring the situation under control. Crews worked through the night, using water tankers and manual equipment to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby residential buildings and shops.

As of early Thursday morning, parts of the market were still smouldering as personnel continued with mop-up operations. Preliminary assessments suggest that goods worth thousands of Ghana cedis have been destroyed, leaving dozens of traders counting their losses.

While no injuries or fatalities have been confirmed, emergency services have cautioned the public to stay away from the site as investigations continue. Officers from the Ghana Police Service have cordoned off the entire area to allow fire experts to determine the cause of the incident.

Residents have since appealed to city authorities to implement stricter safety measures in major markets, including the installation of fire hydrants, fire detectors, and emergency exits to reduce future risks.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, but officials suspect an electrical fault or an unattended stove may have triggered the midnight disaster.