Twelve personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) have been injured following a fuel tanker explosion at Gomoa Potsin in the Central Region.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, March 17, when firefighters responded to a distress call about a burning tanker along the Kasoa–Winneba highway. The tanker, reportedly carrying about 54,000 litres of petrol, was already engulfed in flames upon their arrival, with the fire rapidly spreading to nearby structures.
According to the GNFS, the situation escalated during cooling operations when the tanker suddenly reignited and exploded, catching firefighters in the blast. Four personnel sustained severe injuries, with three rushed to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital and one treated at the Potsin Polyclinic, while eight others suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene.
Fire crews, supported by teams from Apam and Kasoa, managed to bring the inferno under control after nearly two hours, preventing what could have been a major disaster in the community. The tanker driver and his mate escaped unharmed, while authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
The GNFS has assured the injured personnel of full support as they recover and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property despite the dangers faced in emergency response operations.
