A devastating fire at Dansoman Market in Accra has claimed the life of an eight-year-old girl and razed multiple wooden kiosks and shops in the early hours of Wednesday, November 26, 2025. 
According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the blaze was first reported around 12:02 a.m. A fire engine from the nearby Dansoman Fire Station arrived within two minutes, but by then the fire had already spread rapidly. 
Because of the speed with which the flames advanced — aided by the market’s largely wooden structures — eight additional fire tenders from the GNFS National Headquarters and other stations, plus water tankers from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, were dispatched. Firefighters battled thick smoke and intense heat over several hours, finally confining the fire after intense efforts. 
Tragically, the victim (identified by fire-service officials as a young girl called Priscilla) had been asleep inside one of the affected kiosks. Her mother reportedly had stepped out on an errand, leaving the child behind. By the time firefighters gained access, she was unresponsive. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene; her remains have since been handed over to the police as part of ongoing investigations. 
While large portions of the market were destroyed, firefighters managed to salvage several adjoining shops and prevent the blaze from spreading beyond the main section. The GNFS says preliminary investigations point to a possible electrical fault as the cause of the fire — but a comprehensive inquiry has been launched to determine the exact origin. 
Local leaders and officials have expressed condolences to the bereaved family. The MP for the area, Rev. Kwaku Addo, visited the scene and pledged support for affected traders. Many in the community are calling for stricter enforcement of fire-safety standards, given the frequent use of wood-based and informal structures in market spaces. 
The tragedy has reignited concerns about fire-safety infrastructure in informal markets across Accra, particularly in densely packed trading centres where wooden stalls remain common. Beyond the personal loss, traders now face the burden of lost goods, destroyed structures, and uncertain livelihoods.
