Fireout break at the family house of late Murtala a victim of August 6 incident

Family house of the late Mohammed Murtala, one of the 6th August victims, which Personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) have reported to have brought the fire under control.

“We had a report of a fire outbreak involving a compound house in this particular area. The Tamale Teaching Hospital fire crew was dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, they realized that the entire house, almost the entire house, was engulfed, and because of the intensity of the fire, they had to call for reinforcement,” ADO 1 Hudu Baba, Regional PRO of the GNFS, said.

“So, the Tamale Regional Headquarters substation crew was also dispatched to the scene, and the house contained about 17 rooms, and about nine rooms were affected, meaning eight rooms have been salvaged by the firemen of the Ghana National Fire Service,” Mr Baba added.

He used the opportunity to appeal for support to replace their old fire engines.

“As you all can see, we have faced some challenges involving our vehicles and also water issues. The vehicles you are seeing are very old. This vehicle is about 40 years old, so it has challenges at any time. Again, the capacity of the vehicle is 500 liters, which will take only two minutes, within two minutes to absorb the water, and so these two fire tenders were here, but the water wasn’t enough to be able to extinguish the fire effectively. So, they have to go and replenish before you see us fighting the fire again,” ADO1 Baba noted.

He noted that the situation is compounded by a lack of hydrants, and Ghana Water Company is also complaining of its own challenges.

“But what can we do as a people? We can improvise. We have written to well-meaning citizens and the general public that Ghana National Fire Service needs your support. We need your assistance. We are trying our best to use the little resources that we have to serve you,” the lead fire officer urged.

The late Murtala, former Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, was among seven others who died in the Helicopter crash that occurred on August 6, 2025, in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region.

The seven others are: Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr. Samuel Sarpong, National Vice Chairman of the ruling NDC; Mr. Samuel Aboagye, former NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi East; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flight Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

“What makes this even more heartbreaking is that it comes almost exactly a year after the tragic military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Hon. Mohammed Murtala and seven other officials. Just a year later, the family is once again facing another painful ordeal,” an eyewitness remarked.

“May Allah grant the family strength, comfort, and patience during these trying times, protect everyone at the scene, and bring the fire under control without further loss,” another said.

Meanwhile, the head of the family, Ibrahim Mohammed Baba, described the fire incident as the will of Allah.