Authorities have arrested a 21-year-old man accused of stabbing a firefighter during a blaze that destroyed most of a one-storey building at Adjiriganor in Accra last Friday.

The suspect, identified as Azumah Sampson, was picked up by officers of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) after days of searching and has since been handed over to the police. He is currently in custody assisting investigators, the GNFS said in a statement.

According to officials, Sampson allegedly stabbed a firefighter in the left arm after attempting to force his way into the burning building to loot while emergency crews battled the late-night fire. A second firefighter sustained injuries when a block fell on his shoulder.

Investigations ongoing

The fire, which started around 9:30 p.m., gutted seven of eight rooms on the top floor of the structure. Fire crews from Legon, Madina, Adenta and the GNFS headquarters managed to contain and extinguish the blaze after several hours, preventing it from spreading to nearby properties.

Both injured firefighters were treated and discharged from Unity Clinic in Madina. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The GNFS had earlier announced a reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest. Authorities have not confirmed whether a tip-off contributed to Monday’s successful operation.