Victims of the Sofoline fire outbreak at Kumasi in the Ashanti Region have begun assessing their losses as the Ghana National Fire Service launches investigations into the cause of the incident.

The fire swept through a mechanic enclave in the Kwadaso Municipality of the Ashanti Region on Sunday, January 25, 2026, destroying several properties and livelihoods.

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) disclosed that 34 vehicles and 24 shops were completely burnt in the blaze.

Additional items valued at hundreds of Ghana Cedis were also destroyed.

Speaking to Kumasi FM’s Elisha Adarkwah, NADMO officials said the scale of destruction was severe, leaving many artisans and business owners devastated.

Some of the affected artisans blamed the extensive damage on the absence of a fire tender in the Kwadaso Municipality. They argued that the presence of a fire tender within the area could have significantly reduced the impact of the inferno.

According to them, firefighters had to be called in from Twedie and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) fire stations, a delay they say worsened the situation.

The victims have therefore appealed to the government to urgently provide the municipality with a fire tender.

Confirming the concern, Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and officials of NADMO acknowledged that the municipality currently does not have a fire tender.

Dr. Amoakohene, who visited the scene to commiserate with the victims, described the incident as unfortunate and assured residents of government support.

He disclosed that the government is in the process of procuring 100 new fire tenders nationwide and pledged to lobby the President to ensure that some are allocated to the Kwadaso Municipality.