A cargo truck loaded with hazardous materials, including firecrackers, caught fire at Buduburam in the Gomoa East District on the evening of Saturday, 13 December 2025, prompting a swift response from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
The incident caused panic among residents along the Accra-Cape Coast Highway but, according to officials, no casualties or injuries were reported. 
The GNFS said the distress call was received at about 8:16 pm, when the truck, identified by registration number GS 2379-23, began to blaze.
Firefighters from the Buduburam station responded immediately, though their main fire engine was reported to be out of service at the time. Despite this challenge, personnel led by Station Officer II Takyi deployed portable extinguishers to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading to surrounding structures or vehicles. 
Reinforcements from the Kasoa Fire Station arrived later in the evening, and the combined efforts of the teams brought the fire fully under control by approximately 10:29 pm. The truck suffered smoke and fire damage, but firefighters were able to salvage most of the vehicle. Authorities suspect improper storage of the volatile materials may have led to spontaneous ignition, though investigations are ongoing. 
Initial assessments by fire officials indicate that the cargo was being transported in violation of the Explosives (Importation) Instrument, E.I. 21 of 1999, which regulates the handling and conveyance of explosive and hazardous goods. The GNFS has referred the case to the Ghana Police Service for further inquiry, as part of efforts to determine why the materials were aboard the truck and whether any safety protocols were breached. 
Residents near the scene described a tense atmosphere as smoke billowed into the night sky and passers-by gathered to watch the response. Emergency services urged motorists and local communities to exercise caution and avoid the area while the fire was being fought, highlighting the dangers posed by improperly stored pyrotechnic materials. 
In the aftermath, the GNFS issued a public caution to transporters and the general public, reminding them of the importance of adhering to safety regulations governing hazardous materials to prevent similar incidents that could endanger lives and property. 
