Man allegedly burns family alive, takes own life

A devastating fire has claimed the lives of seven members of the same family at Akyempim, a community in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality of the Central Region. The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, November 1, 2025.

According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the Dunkwa-On-Offin Fire Station received a distress call around 1:04 a.m. and immediately dispatched a rescue team to the scene, where a four-bedroom house, identified as AA/5259/7534, had been engulfed in flames.

Firefighters arrived at approximately 1:20 a.m. and found one of the bedrooms completely consumed by fire, with its door reportedly padlocked from the outside. Despite the crew’s swift response, they were unable to rescue the occupants trapped inside. The blaze was finally brought under control at 1:32 a.m.

The victims included five children, aged between one and fifteen years, and two adults, a woman believed to be their mother and her eldest daughter. All seven were discovered lifeless in the charred room.

Preliminary investigations by the GNFS suggest that the deceased woman’s husband may have intentionally set the room ablaze and locked it before fleeing into a nearby bush. Police later found his lifeless body hanging from a tree, indicating that he may have taken his own life after the incident.

The charred remains of the victims have been handed over to the Ghana Police Service at Atekyim for further investigation.

In a statement, the Central Regional Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, Divisional Officer Grade Two (DO II) Abdul Wasiu Hudu, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended condolences to the bereaved family and the entire community.

“This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and safety in our homes. We urge the public to remain cautious and adhere to fire safety measures at all times,” he said.

The Ghana National Fire Service reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, assuring that it remains dedicated to enhancing public safety through education, rapid response, and preventive measures.

By: Bawa Musah

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