A devastating fire has engulfed the warehouse of the newly opened China Mall at Santasi in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti Region, leaving in its wake massive destruction of goods and properties worth millions of Ghana cedis.
The inferno, which broke out in the early afternoon of Thursday, October 30, 2025, sent panic across the bustling commercial area as huge plumes of thick smoke filled the skyline, visible from several parts of the city. The blaze, which reportedly started from the warehouse section of the shopping complex, spread rapidly due to the highly flammable nature of the goods stored inside.
According to eyewitnesses, workers and customers were forced to flee for their lives as the fire intensified. “We were shopping when we suddenly saw smoke rising from the back of the mall. Within minutes, the fire spread fast and everyone started running out. The heat was unbearable,” recounted a customer who narrowly escaped the blaze.
Firefighters from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in the Ashanti Region were swiftly dispatched to the scene after distress calls were made by eyewitnesses and management of the facility. Several fire tenders from the Kumasi Metro, Komfo Anokye, Asokwa, and Bekwai fire stations were mobilized to combat the inferno. Despite their combined efforts, the flames raged uncontrollably for several hours, fueled by chemicals, plastics, fabrics, and other combustible goods stored in bulk within the warehouse.
As of Thursday evening, personnel from the GNFS were still at the scene battling to douse the flames completely and prevent the fire from spreading to the main shopping mall, which houses dozens of retail outlets. The task proved challenging as thick smoke and intense heat hindered visibility and accessibility to certain sections of the facility.
Speaking to journalists, the Ashanti Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Henry Giwah, described the incident as one of the most severe industrial fires recorded in the region this year. “The fire started from the warehouse area and spread rapidly before our men arrived. We have managed to prevent it from reaching the main mall, but the damage to the warehouse is extensive. Our investigation team will begin work immediately to determine the actual cause of the fire,” he stated.
He further appealed to business owners and facility managers across the region to strictly adhere to fire safety regulations, install functional firefighting systems, and ensure regular inspections to prevent such incidents.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, though preliminary reports suggest it may have been triggered by an electrical fault or overheating machinery within the warehouse. The GNFS has however cautioned the public against speculating until the completion of the full investigation.
Personnel from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Police Service, and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) were also at the scene to assist in crowd control, disaster management, and the safe disconnection of power to the affected structures to prevent further hazards. Traffic on the busy Santasi–Obuasi road was temporarily diverted to ensure free movement for emergency vehicles.
Management of China Mall is yet to issue an official statement, but reliable sources indicate that the loss could run into several millions of Ghana cedis, considering the high volume of imported merchandise stored in the affected section.
The fire incident has sent shockwaves through Kumasi’s business community, with many traders expressing concern over the frequent occurrence of market and commercial fires in the metropolis. The Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Simon Osei-Mensah, is expected to visit the scene to assess the extent of damage and coordinate with emergency agencies for a comprehensive response.
The newly opened China Mall at Santasi, which began operations only a few months ago, has become one of Kumasi’s major retail destinations, drawing large crowds daily for affordable products ranging from electronics to household items. Thursday’s tragedy marks a major setback for its operations and a painful loss for the city’s commercial sector.
Authorities have assured the public of thorough investigations into the incident and have promised to put in place preventive measures to forestall future occurrences. Meanwhile, fire officers remain on site to monitor the situation and ensure that any remaining hotspots are completely extinguished.
