Fire Destroys Millions in Goods at Lapaz Market — Shop Owner Hospitalised

A fierce fire broke out on Sunday, April 27, at the bustling Lapaz Market in Accra, reducing a textile shop to ashes and leaving the shop owner hospitalised in shock.

The fire reportedly started on the upper floor of a building housing the textile business and quickly engulfed the store, consuming bedding materials and high-value fabrics worth millions of Ghana cedis.

The thick smoke and towering flames drew the attention of shoppers and vendors, who watched helplessly as the fire raged.

According to eyewitnesses, the young woman who owns the shop collapsed in distress upon seeing her entire business go up in flames. She was immediately rushed to the Lapaz Community Hospital for urgent medical care. Family members say she had been building the shop for years and was devastated by the loss.

Her mother, who co-owns the business, was downstairs with her grandchild when the alarm was raised.

“It was my grandchild who saw the smoke first and alerted us,” she said, visibly shaken. “We ran out, but by then the fire had already spread.”

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) team from the Abelenkpe branch responded swiftly. Their prompt action helped contain the blaze and prevented it from spreading to nearby shops in the market.

“We tried our best to ensure the fire didn’t extend to adjoining stores,” said ADO I Emmanuel Akwetey, the Operations Officer leading the firefighting efforts. “Our team is still inside assessing the situation. Investigations are ongoing to determine what caused the fire.”

Although the exact cause is yet to be confirmed, initial reports suggest it might have been electrical. Firefighters and safety officers are expected to complete their investigation in the coming days.

Local business owners and residents have expressed concern about fire safety in the market, urging authorities to improve enforcement of safety protocols and emergency preparedness.

For now, the market is back to its regular bustle — but the charred remains of the shop serve as a painful reminder of how quickly livelihoods can be lost.