A massive fire ripped through the Duraplast manufacturing facility and surrounding structures in the North Industrial Area near Avenor on Thursday morning, triggering intense panic, multiple collapses, and severe injuries across the industrial zone.
The sudden outbreak created widespread chaos throughout the enclave. Several bystanders and workers collapsed on the site after inhaling heavy smoke while desperately attempting to salvage their property and navigate through the building fumes. Residents rushed to assist those who fell unconscious from heat exhaustion and suffocation before emergency responders secured the scene.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) dispatched multiple fire tenders to fight the growing blaze. However, the responders faced severe obstacles upon arrival. Narrow access routes and panicked crowds blocked heavy equipment, delaying initial containment efforts. To reach the heart of the inferno and protect neighbouring facilities, fire officers demolished several makeshift structures obstructing their path.
Amid the growing chaos, local youth and brave bystanders rushed directly toward the burning premises to assist factory workers and salvage critical inventory. Dozens of young men manually hauled large poly tanks away from the advancing flames, dragging the massive containers across the yard to prevent them from catching fire and fueling further explosions
Tragedy deepened as early reports confirmed that two people died in the incident. Emergency medical personnel treated multiple survivors for respiratory distress and burn injuries before transporting critical cases to nearby medical centres for urgent care.
The disaster destroyed massive property across the industrial precinct. While firefighters eventually brought the blaze under control, municipal authorities launched a full investigation to determine the official cause of the outbreak. Local government representatives pledged immediate support for affected business owners and displaced residents during the recovery process.
