Tragedy in Sunyani: Two Young Apprentices Perish in Midnight Fire at Penkwase

A devastating fire outbreak has claimed the lives of two young apprentices, plunging the Penkwase community into mourning. The victims, Atuahene Kofi Ragan, 17, and Alhasan Sherif Majeed, 21, lost their lives when fire engulfed a room attached to a carpentry shop where they were serving their apprenticeship. The incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

The tragic event has left residents in shock as officials of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) begin investigations to establish the cause of the blaze.

Eyewitness Account

Madam Rachel, landlady of the property where the incident occurred, recounted the harrowing moments of the fire.

“A neighbour rushed to wake me up, screaming that there was a fire. We tried desperately to save the boys, but the flames were too strong. By the time help came, it was too late,” she narrated in grief.

Madam Rachel, sister of a well-known wood designer in the Sunyani municipality, said the loss was not only personal but also a tragedy for the entire community.

Fire Service Response

Bono Regional Fire Commander, ACFO Cecil Addo, confirmed the incident and explained that his men responded swiftly to the distress call.

“Although we requested assistance from NEDCO, we managed to control the fire before it could spread further. Unfortunately, the young apprentices could not be rescued,” he said.

He added that a full investigation is underway to determine the actual cause of the fire.

Community in Shock

The Penkwase community has been thrown into mourning, with many residents gathering at the scene to express grief over the tragic deaths. Families of the victims are said to be inconsolable as they struggle to come to terms with the sudden loss of their loved ones.