A fire outbreak at the SIC Insurance office building in Takoradi has caused extensive damage to several offices, equipment and documents, with parts of the facility affected across multiple floors. The fire started at about 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, and reportedly originated from the studio of New Day TV, which operates from the building.
The blaze later spread to sections of the first, second and third floors, affecting offices including the SIC Life Marketing Office and Accounts Office. New Day TV’s studio and other parts of its premises were also damaged, with office equipment, documents and other materials reportedly destroyed in the fire.
Protective and offshore equipment belonging to Greenfields, which was stored within the building, was also reportedly affected. The total value of the property and equipment damaged or destroyed is yet to be determined, as authorities and the affected organisations assess the extent of the losses. The intensity of the fire was partly attributed to combustible materials in the affected section of the building.
The Western Region Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), ADO I Linda Pongo, said materials such as sound-absorbing foam and plastic TNG ceiling materials contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. According to ADO I Linda Pongo, the GNFS received a distress call at about 9:32 a.m. reporting a fire at the New Day TV studio.
Firefighters from the Sekondi, Apremdo and Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) fire stations were subsequently dispatched to the scene. Three fire tenders were deployed as personnel worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the building.
Eyewitnesses recount response
Eyewitnesses at the premises described a chaotic scene, with smoke filling parts of the building as workers and emergency responders moved to contain the fire. One eyewitness said firefighters from the GPHA Fire Service were initially unable to commence firefighting because power to the building had not yet been disconnected.
“When the fire started, the GPHA Fire Service arrived at the scene, but they could not immediately begin firefighting operations. They explained that they had to wait for ECG to disconnect the power supply to the building before they could safely commence efforts to put out the fire,” the eyewitness said. Workers and other occupants were evacuated or moved away from the affected areas as firefighters battled to bring the situation under control.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established. The GNFS is expected to conduct further assessments and investigations to determine what triggered the blaze and establish the full extent of the damage to the building and property. There were no confirmed reports of fatalities or serious injuries at the time of filing. Further details, including an estimate of the financial losses, are expected after assessments of the affected offices, equipment and other property are completed.
