Emergency Teams Avert Disaster at Sekondi Fishing Harbour Following Landslide-Induced Fuel Fire

A multi-agency emergency response successfully contained a major fire at the Albert Bosomtwe-Sam Fishing Harbour in Sekondi on June 21. The blaze, which broke out during a period of torrential rainfall, was triggered when a landslide caused an electricity pole to collapse onto a premix fuel station. Despite the intensity of the flames and the challenging weather conditions, fire crews were able to extinguish the inferno within four hours, with no casualties or fatalities recorded. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has launched an investigation into the structural integrity of the area following the incident.

The incident began when heavy rains destabilized the surrounding terrain, leading to a mudslide that downed power lines. The resulting sparks ignited fuel vapors at the harbor’s storage facility, creating a massive blaze that spread rapidly as rainwater carried burning fuel through gutters. The fire destroyed the premix fuel station, two vehicles, and three handcarts. Additionally, portions of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) administration block, as well as nearby office and ice storage areas, sustained significant damage before the situation was brought under control.

The containment of the fire was the result of a highly coordinated effort involving the GNFS, the Ghana Navy, and the Ghana Air Force. Deploying five fire tenders, the emergency teams worked until approximately 8:15 PM to ensure the flames did not reach critical infrastructure, specifically the coastal fuel tank, which could have triggered a far more catastrophic explosion. DCFO Jimmy Nab Daisie and other senior officials commended the bravery and efficiency of the responders who operated under the constant threat of further structural collapses and adverse weather.

In the aftermath of the disaster, Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson ordered the immediate evacuation of traders from the affected area due to the ongoing risk of further landslides. This event has reignited urgent discussions regarding the safety of fuel storage at the harbor. James Richard Quayson, Director of the Port of Takoradi, noted that while there have been previous attempts to relocate the premix fuel activities to a safer location, these efforts had previously been unsuccessful. Authorities are now emphasizing the necessity of permanent preventive measures and the relocation of high-risk activities to ensure the long-term safety of the harbor’s operations and its personnel.