The Ghana National Fire Service has attributed a fatal petrol tanker fire at Signboard near Okanta, off the Accra-Nsawam Highway, to illegal fuel siphoning attempts that ignited fuel vapours.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, February 14, 2026, claimed six lives and left seven people in critical condition.
In a statement issued Monday, February 16, the Fire Service said it received a distress call at 0445 hours and dispatched firefighters from the Suhum Fire Station. The crew encountered a fully developed fire involving a petrol tanker loaded with approximately 54,000 litres of fuel, a VIP bus, three saloon cars, and four motorcycles, all severely damaged by flames.
Reinforcement from the Bunso Fire Station was called in due to the fire’s intensity and rapid spread. Using coordinated tactical operations and foam compound, firefighters controlled the blaze at 0824 hours and fully extinguished it at 1108 hours.
The incident resulted in 15 casualties, 11 males and four females. Three people, two males and one female, died at the scene with their badly charred remains handed to police for preservation and investigation. Twelve injured victims were transported to Nsawam Hospital, where two were later discharged, one against medical advice. Ten critically injured patients including eight males and two females were transferred to Koforidua Regional Hospital.
Three of the transferred patients, two males and one female, subsequently died. Seven individuals, two male children, four male adults, and one female remain under treatment at Koforidua Regional Hospital.
While investigations continue, preliminary assessments indicate that sparks produced when individuals used cutting tools to illegally breach the petrol tanker may have ignited petrol vapours, triggering the intense fire that consumed vehicles travelling on the road at that moment.
The Fire Service noted that firefighters’ quick response prevented a potential explosion. The fatalities were reportedly trapped by the sudden fire following the ignition of the petrol vapour cloud.
The Ghana National Fire Service has issued a strong warning against fuel siphoning, emphasizing its illegality and extreme danger, and called on the public to stay away from accident scenes involving flammable substances and immediately contact emergency services.
“The Eastern Regional Command of the GNFS extends its heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident, and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured both those discharged and those still receiving treatment,” the statement said.
“The Eastern Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service remains committed to protecting lives and property and appeals for public cooperation to enhance fire safety across the region,” the statement said.