70-year-old woman dies as fire destroys structures, vehicles at Suame Magazine in Kumasi

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed the death of a 70-year-old woman following a devastating commercial fire outbreak at Suame Magazine Zone 18 near the garages in Kumasi in the early hours of Saturday, May 16, 2026.

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According to the Ashanti Regional Command of the GNFS, the fire incident destroyed several properties, including wooden structures, metal containers, vehicles and vehicle spare parts.

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The service said the Breman Fire Station received a distress call at about 3:22 a.m. reporting a fire involving structures and vehicles within the enclave.

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A combined firefighting team from the Breman and Komfo Anokye Fire Stations, led by Station Officer One (STNO I) Ampaabeng, was immediately dispatched to the scene with fire tenders FS 435 and FS 737, arriving at approximately 3:34 a.m.

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Upon arrival, firefighters found the blaze fully developed and engulfing three wooden structures, three metal containers, four vehicles and nine DAF vehicle engines.

Firefighters quickly deployed both offensive and defensive firefighting strategies and succeeded in bringing the fire under control by 3:59 a.m. before fully extinguishing it at 4:51 a.m. using water and foam.

The GNFS identified the deceased as Madam Bawama Naya, aged 70, who was trapped in the inferno. Her charred body was later handed over to officers from the Suame District Police Command for preservation and further investigations.

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The fire service noted that the swift response by personnel helped save three Sprinter buses, one Benz bus and one Opanka bus from destruction.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.

The Ghana National Fire Service has meanwhile urged the public, particularly operators within industrial and commercial areas, to strictly observe fire safety protocols to prevent similar incidents.