Gas Explosion at Adum Leaves Four in Intensive Care
Tragedy struck the heart of Kumasi on Wednesday morning, September 24, 2025, when a gas explosion opposite the Sanbra Hotel at Adum left four persons in critical condition.
The victims, a popular food vendor and her three assistants, were said to be preparing food for sale when the incident occurred at about 5:50 a.m. Eyewitnesses told this paper that they heard a loud bang before rushing to the scene.
“When we got there, the four were badly burnt and crying for help,” one resident recounted. “They usually cook jollof rice for workers and traders, but this morning something went terribly wrong.”
The victims were immediately transported to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), where doctors have confirmed that they are receiving emergency treatment. Medical sources say their conditions remain critical.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded to the distress call and cordoned off the scene to prevent further casualties. Fire officers indicated that the immediate cause of the blast has not been established.
“Our investigators are working to identify what triggered the explosion,” a GNFS spokesperson explained. “We encourage all food vendors and households using LPG to adopt best safety practices and ensure their cylinders are properly maintained.”
The incident disrupted the usually busy commercial activities around the Sanbra Hotel enclave, as traders and passersby expressed shock over the extent of the damage. Some residents say the tragedy highlights the urgent need for authorities to intensify safety checks on gas cylinders and public cooking points in Kumasi.
Officials from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) have assured the public that safety enforcement will be stepped up in the city’s business districts to reduce the risk of similar occurrences.
This latest explosion adds to growing concerns about gas safety in the Ashanti Region, where a number of accidents in recent years have claimed lives and caused significant property damage. Residents are now calling for a comprehensive policy to regulate small-scale food vendors who depend on gas for daily operations.
