News
Massive fire guts Duraplast factory at Avenor
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-01-at-15.39.32.jpeg&description=Massive fire guts Duraplast factory at Avenor', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/WhatsApp-Image-2026-10-01-at-15.39.32.jpeg&description=Massive fire guts Duraplast factory at Avenor', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
A massive fire outbreak swept through the North Industrial Area at Avenor in Accra in the early hours of Thursday, October 1, 2026, destroying properties and spreading into the premises of plastics manufacturing firm, Duraplast Ghana.
The blaze, which reportedly started around 7:30 a.m. at Kofikrom, near the ECG Avenor office, quickly intensified, sending thick plumes of smoke across the industrial enclave and forcing residents, traders and workers to flee.
Firefighters from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) are at the scene with multiple fire engines working to bring the fire under control, but operations have been hampered by poor access. Eyewitnesses say cargo trucks and the absence of accessible roads blocked routes to the fire scene, while large quantities of plastic materials in the area fuelled the blaze.
The fire has since spread into the Duraplast factory, destroying its entire pipe stock and water storage tanks.
Marketing Manager of Duraplast, Emmanuel Donkor, who arrived at the facility around 6:45 a.m., said the fire started from illegal structures behind the company’s wall.
“The challenge currently here is the illegal structures here; that is where the fire started from. It started from the illegal structures just behind our wall,” he said.
Mr. Donkor said two fire tenders initially arrived but struggled to contain the blaze. He also disclosed that the company’s fire hydrants were empty at the time of the incident.
“But all our hydrants (at Duraplast) were also empty,” he said, adding that the company had to contact Ghana Water for emergency support. 03c9
He described the losses as enormous, stating: “All our pipes have been destroyed”.
The military has since intervened to support firefighting efforts. Commanding Officer of the 48 Engineer Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Osei Amponsah, said personnel cleared temporary structures blocking access routes to allow fire engines to move closer to the affected areas.
Meanwhile, two people, including a two-week-old baby, are feared dead following the outbreak, though the GNFS says reports of fatalities remain unverified.
“We can’t confirm any dead person at this stage. Any other reports you are hearing are hearsay,” ADO1 Alex King Nartey of the GNFS Public Relations team said.
Eyewitnesses have suggested the fire may have been triggered by a gas cylinder explosion. According to one account, a woman had been cooking for her children and left the cylinder under the supervision of a child, who allegedly increased the gas flow, causing an explosion.
The GNFS says investigations will be conducted to establish the cause of the fire after containment operations are completed.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Sixteen students comprising six ladies and 10 men have graduated from the Devato Computer Services and Training Centre at Ashaiman in Accra with a call on them to be competent, honest, innovative and resilient.
The graduates offered Certificate programmes in Office Productivity, Hardware, Networking, Graphic Design, Software Development and other disciplines.
The second graduation ceremony was on the theme, “Equipping Skills for the Digital Economy.”
In his address, the chairman for the occasion, Evangelist Samuel Nyamavor, Chief Executive Director (CEO) of La Ken Technologies Limited advised the graduates to use their skills to start something as the digital economy rewards creators.
“Don’t wait for employment alone. Use your skills to start something, help a shop go online, design for a business, repair systems and train others,” he admonished the graduates.
“Today, you are graduates. You are no longer computer users, you are IT professionals,” he emphasised.
Evg. Nyamavor acknowledged the facilitator for giving these skills to the graduates and described Devato as a centre “to bridge the digital gap in our community and to empower the youth with relevant, employable skills.”
Sharing few thoughts with the graduates, Mrs Georgina Naa Maku Quaittoo, Editor of The Spectator, advised the graduates to surround themselves with positive influences, ambitious peers, and supportive mentors who will elevate your thinking.
“As you step out into the technology industry keep these realities in mind. Remember that the skill you have acquired is a foundation, not a finish line. In the world of technology, what you know today will change tomorrow. The most valuable skill you possess is your ability to learn, adapt, and master new concepts quickly,” she said.
She encouraged them to seek guidance from trusted mentors, family, or professional resources which is a sign of courage and strength, not weakness. 
Mrs Quaittoo also urged them not to be in a hurry to make quick money but take one step at a time.
“Do not imitate others blindly. The fingers are not the same so be content with what you have, work hard, be patient and with resilience you can achieve greatness in life,” she added.
In an address from the College Director, Reverend Anthony Fynn lauded the resilience of the graduates despite their challenges and encouraged them to maintain high character, value important life lessons and use their education responsibly.
“Your education is a powerful tool, but its true value lies in how you choose to use it. Use it to build, to uplift and to innovate. Be the leaders who lead with character and empathy. Remember that success is not merely measured by the titles you hold or the salaries you earn, but by the positive impact you make on the lives of others,” he advised.
Since its inception in 2008, the Centre has trained many students in the field of Information Technology.
The Centre currently runs certificate and West African Examination Centre (WAEC) accredited courses like Diploma in Information Technology, Business Administration and Diploma in Office Management, Computer Hardware Networking, Graphic Designing and the newly introduced programmes like photography, videography and retouching, video editing, website and app development, and essential IT skills for office workers.
The graduates were presented with certificates on their successful completion of their individual courses.
By Spectator Reporter
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
A Patron of the Street Academy in Accra, Nii Boye Abbey, has presented 1,500 pieces of exercise books to the academy to support teaching and learning.
The gesture, according to Mr Abbey, who doubles as Special Advisor to the Ga Mantse, was to support children of the academy who have been placed in public schools in the capital.
Making the presentation, Mr Abbey explained that it was his way of supporting the children through the academy which is faced with several challenges related to the provision of logistics and finance.
“I know that the reopening of schools would put enormous challenges on the management of the academy. They would have to provide feeding and logistics to make the children comfortable in their new schooling environment. The books would go a long way to ease the burden on the school authorities.
Mr Abbey urged the children to learn to excel in their examination and appealed to other individuals and organization to offer similar assistance to the academy in future.
Receiving the books, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey thanked the donor for the support which he said would support the academy wards that transited to public schools.
He disclosed that the academy had survived and still surviving on the benevolence of individuals like him (Mr Abbey) and other public spirited individuals and organisations.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank everyone that has supported the school. We have survived on your support for years. I want to appeal to all the donors not to forget us. These are children most of whom we picked from the street and try to give them a better life.”
By Spectator Reporter
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
