Fire Guts Newly Opened China Mall at Santasi, Properties Worth Millions Reduced to Ashes

Fire Guts Newly Opened China Mall at Santasi, Properties Worth Millions Reduced to Ashes

A massive fire outbreak has ravaged the newly opened China Mall located at Santasi in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti Region, destroying goods and properties worth millions of Ghana cedis.

The incident, which occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, October 30, 2025, sent shockwaves across the city as thick black smoke billowed into the sky, drawing hundreds of onlookers to the scene. The fire reportedly started from the warehouse section of the mall, where large quantities of imported goods, including electronics, furniture, clothing, and household appliances, were being stored.

Eyewitnesses told reporters that the inferno spread rapidly, engulfing the warehouse within minutes before firefighters arrived. “We saw flames and heavy smoke coming from the back of the mall. People started shouting and running for safety. Within a short time, the whole place was on fire,” one eyewitness recounted.

Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in the Ashanti Region were quickly deployed to the scene and began a fierce battle to bring the flames under control. Several fire tenders from the Kumasi Metro, Komfo Anokye, and Asokwa fire stations were mobilized to prevent the blaze from spreading to the main shopping complex, which houses multiple retail outlets and offices.

Despite their efforts, the fire continued to rage for hours, fueled by highly combustible materials stored within the warehouse. Firefighters faced difficulties accessing certain parts of the building due to intense heat and the layout of the facility. As of Thursday evening, the GNFS was still working tirelessly to fully extinguish the fire and prevent further destruction.

Preliminary reports indicate that millions of cedis’ worth of merchandise have been lost, though the exact cost of damage is yet to be determined. No casualties have been reported at this stage, but several workers and shoppers were seen evacuating the premises as the flames intensified.

The Ashanti Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, ACFO Henry Giwah, confirmed that investigations have been launched to ascertain the cause of the blaze. “Our men are on the ground doing their best to contain the situation. Once we have completely put out the fire, we will begin our full assessment to determine the cause and the extent of damage,” he said.

Officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Ghana Police Service were also present at the scene to coordinate emergency response and ensure the safety of residents and motorists using the busy Santasi–Obuasi road, where traffic was temporarily diverted.

The newly opened China Mall, which began operations only a few months ago, has quickly become one of Kumasi’s major retail centers, attracting large numbers of shoppers from across the Ashanti Region. Thursday’s incident marks a devastating setback for the management and business operators at the facility.

As investigations continue, the public has been urged to stay away from the scene to allow emergency services to complete their work. Authorities are expected to issue an official statement once the fire has been fully brought under control and preliminary findings are ready.

This tragedy adds to the growing list of fire incidents that have hit commercial centers across the country in recent times, reigniting calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety measures, regular inspections, and improved preparedness to avert similar disasters in the future.

Story filed by Barbara Koranteng.