Twelve firefighters were injured when a fuel tanker they were working on exploded at Gomoa Potsin in the Central Region on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

According to a statement from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the incident occurred during cooling operations after the team had successfully extinguished a fire involving the tanker.

The Central Regional Fire Control Room received a distress call at approximately 5:58 AM reporting a fire outbreak involving a fuel tanker (GT 5671-22) along the Winneba–Accra Highway.

The tanker was carrying about 54,000 litres of petrol. The driver and his mate escaped unhurt.

Firefighters from the Apam and Kasoa Fire Stations, supported by a private water tanker, arrived at the scene at 6:26 AM. They encountered a fully developed fire that was spreading to nearby properties. The team brought the fire under control at 7:58 AM and fully extinguished it by 8:42 AM.

During subsequent cooling operations aimed at preventing re-ignition, the tanker reignited and exploded, injuring 12 firefighters.

Of those injured, four sustained severe burns and were taken to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital and the Potsin Polyclinic. They have since been treated and discharged. The remaining eight sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene by the Ambulance Service Team.

The Central Regional Commander, ACFO I Merinder Mary Attigah Mensah, and the Director of Operations, DCFO Roberta Aggrey Ghanson, visited the injured personnel and the incident site.

Firefighters remain at the scene to ensure safety as preparations are made to transfer the remaining fuel from the damaged tanker.

The cause of the crash and subsequent fire is under investigation.