A major fire broke out yesterday evening at the newly opened China City Mall, located at Santasi roundabout in Kumasi, resulting in extensive damage to the structure and the goods housed inside.
The fire began around 4:00 p.m., according to reports and quickly spread through the mall’s retail space, forcing a complete halt to business activities.
Personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) were dispatched to the scene, where thick smoke and vivid flames were visible from a distance.
While firefighters managed to eventually contain the blaze, the mall — which had opened earlier in 2025 was unable to be saved.
“We received a distress call about the fire and dispatched two fire tenders to the scene immediately. Our men have been working tirelessly to contain the blaze,” an officer said in an interview with JoyNews.
Fortunately, there have been no casualties reported so far, officials from the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) confirmed.
Eyewitnesses said the fire spread so rapidly that traders had little chance to salvage their goods. One shop attendant described the scene as frightening, saying the blaze overtook the building within minutes.
The mall housed a range of retail shops including electronics, home accessories and groceries. With the building now heavily damaged, goods worth many thousands of Ghana cedis have been lost.
The Ashanti Regional Fire Commander, ACFO Peter Tetteh, highlighted that highly combustible building materials contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. He confirmed the GNFS has launched an investigation into the cause.
The incident underscores growing concerns around fire safety in commercial buildings across Ghana. This mall fire adds to a mounting number of similar outbreaks in major cities.
Local authorities, including the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, have visited the site and described the destruction as a sad spectacle.
Traders and business owners face an uncertain future, with questions now arising about insurance coverage, rebuilding plans and the economic effects on the local community.
The GNFS has said it will carry out a thorough investigation, while authorities will assess structural safety, compliance with fire regulations, and emergency preparedness of the site and similar commercial facilities.
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