A devastating fire has gutted a fashion training centre at Top High in Kumasi, destroying property worth thousands of cedis.

The fire broke out at about 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026, ravaging sewing materials, sewing machines and other equipment used at the fashion centre.

Firefighters from the KNUST and Asokore Mampong Fire Stations rushed to the scene to battle the blaze. After nearly an hour, they brought the fire under control, preventing it from spreading to nearby shops and houses.

The cause of the fire is yet to be established, as the Ghana National Fire Service has begun preliminary investigations.

The affected facility, Adoma Fashion School, serves as a training hub for at least 30 students and workers, many of whom are struggling to come to terms with the destruction.

According to the Secretary of Adoma Fashion School, Adom May, the fire started suddenly.

“I was packing clothes at the entrance of the shop when I saw smoke coming from a small room inside. We initially thought it was an electrical fault, so we started switching off the sockets. But within a minute, the fire became intense. We immediately called the Fire Service while trying to use the fire extinguisher to control it, but we couldn’t. By the time the firefighters arrived, everything had already been destroyed,” she said.

The mood at the scene was sombre as workers and apprentices looked on helplessly at the charred remains of the shop.

Many expressed frustration and uncertainty about the future, saying the destruction has left them stranded.

For several apprentices, the centre served as both a workplace and a training facility. With sewing machines, fabrics and other equipment destroyed, they are uncertain about how and where they will continue their training.

“This is where we learn our trade and earn a living. We are pleading with the government and benevolent individuals to support our madam to rebuild the shop because she is going through difficult times and also has a newborn baby,” apprentice Nana Yaw Konadu appealed.

The KNUST District Fire Commander, DOII Anthony Appiah, said the Fire Service received the distress call at 7:40 a.m., and personnel arrived at the scene by 7:45 a.m.

He explained that upon arrival, firefighters assessed the situation and realised additional support was needed, prompting them to request backup from the Asokore Mampong Fire Station. Through the joint effort of both teams, the blaze was brought under control in less than an hour.

He added that investigations have commenced to determine the cause of the fire.

DOII Appiah also revealed that although there was a fire extinguisher in the shop, workers and bystanders did not know how to operate it, making it impossible to contain the fire in its early stages.

“There was a fire extinguisher in the shop which could have helped prevent the fire from spreading, but the workers and people around did not know how to use it. That is why they could not stop the fire before it caused extensive damage,” he said.

He therefore urged Ghanaians who own fire extinguishers in their homes and workplaces to seek training from the Ghana National Fire Service on their proper use.

“We encourage everyone who has a fire extinguisher at home, in a shop or at the workplace to contact the Ghana National Fire Service for training on how to use it effectively. Knowing how to operate it can help prevent small fires from becoming major disasters,” he advised.

JoyNews understands this is the third fire outbreak at the building, raising concerns among traders over the safety of lives and property at the Tech-Top High enclave.

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