Two personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service have sustained injuries following a secondary explosion during efforts to contain a fuel tanker fire at Potsin Junction.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, March 17, along the Kasoa-Winneba Road, after a tanker transporting fuel reportedly overturned and burst into flames, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air and causing panic among residents and motorists.
Firefighters were initially dispatched to the scene at about 5:30 a.m. and worked to bring the blaze under control. However, the situation escalated when the tanker suddenly reignited, triggering a powerful secondary explosion that injured two officers who were actively battling the fire.
Eyewitnesses described the moment of the explosion as sudden and intense, with flames engulfing the area within seconds. “There was a spark from the tanker and within seconds, everything turned into a fireball. We thought we were going to lose our lives,” an eyewitness recounted.
The injured officers, who were positioned close to the tanker during the operation, were caught in the direct path of the blast. The force of the explosion reportedly threw one of them off a fire tender. Both officers were rushed to a nearby health facility for emergency treatment.
Despite the setback, firefighters, including personnel from the Apam Fire Station, intensified efforts to control the situation and successfully brought the fire under control, preventing further destruction.
The fire had spread from the tanker to a nearby residential building, partially destroying sections of the structure before it was contained.
Speaking on ATL FM’s Atlantic Wave this morning, Deputy Central Regional Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, DO III Ebenezer Fiifi Dadzie, said the swift response of the firefighters helped prevent the blaze from escalating into a larger disaster.
“Our men prioritised the tanker fire and then moved quickly to contain the flames that had spread to the nearby building. Their timely intervention prevented the fire from affecting other structures in the area,” he explained.
Although no fatalities have been recorded, the incident has raised serious safety concerns, with authorities cordoning off the area due to the risk of further explosions.
The situation remained unstable for some time, with the tanker reportedly reigniting intermittently even after initial containment.
Central Regional Correspondent for Adom News, Kofi Adjei, indicated during a live update that the fire had flared up again at a point during the operation. “As I speak, the tanker is burning again,” he reported.
Residents in the area were left shaken, with some fleeing their homes amid fears of additional explosions.
Meanwhile, the GNFS has indicated that investigations will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the accident and subsequent fire.
DO III Ebenezer Fiifi Dadzie also urged drivers, particularly those transporting flammable substances, to exercise caution on the roads to help prevent similar incidents.
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