Disaster Averted as 50,000-Litre LPG Tanker Catches Fire on Accra–Tema Motorway
Firefighters contained a blaze involving a 50,000-litre LPG tanker on the Accra-bound side of the motorway, averting what officials say could have been a major catastrophe as the incident blocked traffic between the Action Chapel area and Accra Mall.
5h ago·3 min read
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has averted a potentially catastrophic explosion after a tanker carrying about 50,000 litres of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) caught fire on the Accra–Tema Motorway.
The incident occurred on the Accra-bound side of the motorway on the night of Monday, August 31, 2026, prompting an emergency response from firefighters and the closure of the affected stretch of the busy highway.
The fire was eventually brought under control, preventing the LPG tanker from exploding despite the substantial quantity of highly flammable gas it was carrying.
The incident affected traffic from around the Action Chapel area towards the Accra Mall, with emergency teams restricting movement while firefighters secured the scene and preparations were made to remove the tanker.
‘It would have been a major catastrophe’
ADO I Alex King Nartey of the Ghana National Fire Service said the size of the tanker made the incident particularly dangerous.
“It’s a 50,000-litre capacity LPG gas, and fortunately the Ghana National Fire Service has been able to avert a major disaster,” he said.
According to him, an explosion involving such a large volume of LPG could have caused extensive destruction beyond the immediate location of the tanker.
“50,000 litres wouldn't be something to joke with; it would have been a major catastrophe,” he warned.
The danger was heightened by the location of the incident.
The Accra–Tema Motorway is one of the country's busiest transport corridors, carrying large numbers of commuters and commercial vehicles between Tema and Accra.
Motorists were still using the motorway when the emergency developed, while several residential, commercial and religious facilities are located close to the affected corridor.
Action Chapel is among the major landmarks close to the scene, while the Accra Mall and surrounding commercial developments lie farther along the Accra-bound route.
Nartey indicated that the impact of an LPG explosion could therefore have extended considerably beyond the tanker itself.
Firefighters remain at scene after containing blaze
GNFS personnel succeeded in bringing the fire under control and remained at the location to supervise efforts to safely remove the tanker.
“As it stands right now, the fire has been put well under control,” Nartey said.
Road Safety Management Services Limited subsequently deployed a recovery truck to the motorway to tow the affected vehicle.
Firefighters were supervising the recovery operation because moving a tanker involved in an LPG fire presents additional safety risks even after the visible flames have been extinguished.
The Accra-bound carriageway consequently remained blocked around the affected section during the recovery operation, causing heavy congestion for motorists travelling towards Accra.
“Once the tanker is towed away, then we can be able to allow for free flow of traffic,” Nartey explained.
Motorists were advised to exercise caution and expect delays while emergency personnel worked at the scene.
As of the latest reliable update, authorities had not publicly confirmed that the tanker had been completely removed and normal traffic flow fully restored.
Cause of tanker fire not yet established
The immediate cause of the fire has not yet been publicly established.
Available official accounts have focused primarily on the emergency response and efforts to prevent the tanker from exploding.
There has also been no confirmed report of casualties from the incident in the information released so far.
The successful containment nevertheless prevented what could have become a major emergency along one of Greater Accra's most heavily travelled roads.
The incident is also likely to renew questions about the transportation of LPG and other hazardous materials through densely developed sections of Greater Accra and the emergency procedures required when tankers carrying such products develop faults or catch fire.
For commuters travelling from Tema and communities along the motorway into central Accra, the immediate concern remains traffic conditions around the Action Chapel–Accra Mall stretch.
Authorities are expected to restore unrestricted traffic movement once the tanker has been safely removed and emergency personnel are satisfied that the affected section poses no further danger.