The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has launched a manhunt for a suspect who stabbed one of its firefighters while crews were responding to a major fire at Adjiringano, near Ability Square in Accra. According to the service, the incident occurred on the night of Friday, November 14, 2025, during efforts to extinguish a blaze that engulfed a two-storey, eight-room building.
The first fire truck from the Legon Fire Station arrived at the scene at about 10:03 p.m., after a call received at 9:32 p.m. Crews from Madina, Adenta and the National Headquarters joined the response, supported by a private water tanker. By midnight the fire was under control, and it was fully extinguished by 1:08 a.m. the following morning.
During the firefighting operation, the suspect attempted to enter the burning building, apparently with the intention of looting. When a firefighter intervened to stop him, he was stabbed in the left arm.
A second firefighter was injured by a falling block, which hit his left shoulder. Both injured officers were treated at Unity Clinic in Madina and discharged.
The GNFS has appealed to the public for assistance in locating the attacker and has offered a reward for information leading to his arrest. “We have a special reward for anyone who helps us find the person who stabbed our firefighter and absconded during firefighting at Adjiringano,” the GNFS posted on its official Facebook page.
Investigators say the motive was likely linked to opportunistic looting amid the fire response. A GNFS spokesperson said that trouble began when “area boys” harassed firefighters and one used a knife against a crew member.
The unit emphasised that such behaviour not only endangers fire crews but undermines efforts to protect lives and property during emergencies.
The cause of the fire itself remains under investigation. While seven of the eight rooms on the top floor were destroyed, the firefighters were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to ground-floor rooms and neighbouring structures.
