A fire outbreak has caused widespread destruction of properties in Yipala, opposite the So Fueling Station in Buipe in the late hours of Monday 6th October,2025.
Reports indicate that the fire started when the dealer attempted to open one of the fuel drums that had been rolled on the ground, resulting in a pressure buildup, an explosion, and a swiftly spreading fire that reached a fuel tanker parked in the yard.
Unfortunately, the Central Gonja District Fire Service was hindered from responding promptly due to their fire tender being out of commission for a prolonged period. The incident took place at the premises of a private fuel dealer who operates a retail fuel business, selling petroleum products in drums.
Despite the severity of the fire and its proximity to a major fuel installation, firefighters could only watch helplessly as the flames consumed properties. The district’s fire tender has reportedly been grounded and non-operational for over a year, leaving the fire service without the critical equipment needed to combat such emergencies.
Residents of Buipe have expressed frustration and anger at district authorities and duty bearers for failing to maintain essential firefighting equipment. Community members argue that if the fire tender had been in working condition, significant property damage could have been prevented.
“This is unacceptable. We have a fuel pipeline running through our district, yet our fire service cannot respond to a fire emergency,” one resident stated.
The situation is particularly concerning given Buipe’s strategic importance as a district hosting a fuel pipeline. Such infrastructure typically necessitates a well-equipped and responsive fire service to handle potential emergencies.
The incident has raised serious questions about emergency preparedness and the maintenance of critical public safety equipment in the Central Gonja District. Critics point out that allowing a fire tender to remain non-functional for over a year in a district with significant petroleum infrastructure represents a serious dereliction of duty.
At the time of publication, district authorities had not issued any official statement regarding the fire outbreak or plans to repair the grounded fire tender. The full extent of property damage is yet to be assessed, and no casualties have been reported.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining emergency response equipment, particularly in areas with high-risk installations such as fuel pipelines and storage facilities.
