Electrical fault caused Defence Ministry fire - officials

The timely intervention of personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) saved the Ministry of Defence (MOD) building in Accra from destruction Monday morning.

It took personnel less than 10 minutes to bring what could have been a major fire outbreak under control.

Personnel from the service received a distress signal of an explosion at the top of the multimillion cedi building at exactly 10 am. It took fire engines five minutes to get to the scene.

Officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) had rushed out of their offices to an assembly point while fire engines operated.

According to the Deputy Chief Fire Officer in charge of Operations at the GNFS, Mr William Jesse Mensah, there was an explosion from an air conditioning unit at the building’s roof and that resulted in a near fire outbreak.

Briefing journalists at the scene, Mr Mensah said the GNFS responded expeditiously, and in the process, identified the unit that was on fire.

“We used our turntable ladder to douse the fire. There is no damage or injury to anyone. The situation is under control and staff can go about their duties,” Mr Mensah assured.

Attributing the explosion to an electrical fault, Mr Mensah urged the members of staff not to turn on the air conditions until an electrical engineer assessed the extent of damage and replaced the spoilt unit.

He, therefore, advised the members of staff to open the windows to access fresh air until the air conditioning unit was fixed.

The Minister of Defence, Mr Benjamin Kunbuor addressed members of staff who had gathered at an assembly point assuring them that the situation was under control.

He commended the GNFS for its quick response and counseled them to go on with their duties.

There were two fire tenders on standby as of the time journalists left the scene.

Uniformed police officers were also at the scene to lend support. Members of staff gathered in groups to discuss the incidence.

Daily Graphic