At least six people have lost their lives and seven others are receiving treatment following a devastating petrol tanker fire on the Accra–Nsawam Highway near Okanta in the early hours of Saturday, February 14, 2026.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) confirmed that the blaze broke out at about 4:45 a.m., involving a fuel tanker loaded with roughly 54,000 litres of petrol and several other vehicles.
In a statement issued by Ignatius K. Baidoo, Divisional Officer Three (DO III) and Eastern Regional Public Relations Officer, firefighters from the Suhum Fire Station responded swiftly to the emergency call but arrived to find the vehicles already engulfed in flames.
Fifteen casualties, comprising 11 males and four females were recorded. Three victims, including two men and one woman, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their bodies, severely burnt, were handed over to the police for preservation and further investigations.
Three additional victims later died at the Koforidua Regional Hospital after being referred there in critical condition.
The fire consumed a VIP bus, three saloon cars, and four motorcycles in addition to the tanker, leaving them extensively damaged.
Due to the scale of the inferno, personnel from the Bunso Fire Station were called in to reinforce efforts. Firefighters deployed foam compound and coordinated tactical operations to contain the blaze, bringing it under control at 8:24 a.m. and fully extinguishing it by 11:08 a.m.
Twelve injured individuals were initially treated at Nsawam Hospital, where two were discharged—one against medical advice. Ten critically injured patients were transferred to Koforidua, where three succumbed to their injuries. The remaining seven survivors, including two young boys, four adult men, and one woman, are currently undergoing treatment.
Preliminary findings suggest the explosion may have been triggered during an attempt to illegally siphon fuel from the tanker. According to the GNFS, sparks from cutting tools allegedly used to breach the tanker could have ignited petrol vapours, resulting in the massive fire.
The Fire Service has reiterated its warning against fuel siphoning, describing it as unlawful and life-threatening. It urged the public to keep a safe distance from accident scenes involving flammable substances and to promptly notify emergency responders.
The Eastern Regional Command expressed sympathy to the bereaved families and wished those injured a speedy recovery, while calling for stronger public cooperation to prevent similar tragedies in the future.