Swift Action: GNFS Averts Disaster on Nalerigu–Walewale Highway, Protects Critical NEDCo Infrastructure

         Source  Ghanamediatrend  

                                News    Ghana 

Swift Action: GNFS Averts Disaster on Nalerigu–Walewale Highway, Protects Critical NEDCo Infrastructure

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has successfully averted a potentially devastating incident along the Nalerigu–Walewale Highway in the North East Region, following a rapid emergency response.

According to an official Facebook post dated March 20, 2026, personnel from the Gambaga Fire Station swiftly responded to a crown fire outbreak at Boku on Wednesday, March 18, at approximately 12:33 p.m. The fire had engulfed a tree situated dangerously close to the highway, posing a significant threat to motorists and nearby infrastructure.

Firefighters arrived at the scene within minutes, reaching the location at 12:52 p.m. Through a coordinated and professional effort, the team managed to bring the blaze under control by 1:00 p.m., and fully extinguished it by 1:06 p.m.

The situation was particularly critical as the burning tree risked collapsing onto high-tension power lines operated by the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo). Such an occurrence could have led to widespread power outages, severe infrastructure damage, and possible loss of lives.

In addition to the electrical hazard, the weakened tree posed a direct danger to road users. A collapse onto the busy highway could have resulted in serious accidents. However, the fire crew effectively applied cooling techniques to stabilize the tree, preventing it from falling and averting both a road safety and electrical crisis.

Following the successful operation, management of the Gambaga Fire Station has initiated steps to collaborate with the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and the Forestry Commission. The aim is to safely remove the affected tree and eliminate any future risk to the public and essential infrastructure.

This incident underscores the vital role of the GNFS in protecting lives, property, and national assets. It also highlights the importance of inter-agency cooperation in proactively managing potential hazards.

Residents and commuters in the area have expressed relief and appreciation for the timely intervention, which prevented what could have escalated into a major disaster. Authorities are encouraging the public to remain vigilant and promptly report fire outbreaks or hazardous situations to help prevent similar incidents in the future.