Tragic Fire Incident Claims Lives of Chief and Wife in Sunyani

A devastating fire incident has occurred in Asuakwaa Top, a suburb of Sunyani in the Bono Region, resulting in the deaths of a chief and his wife. The victims, identified as 65-year-old Nana Siribour Ampofo II, the Wrempimhene of Wenchi, and his 48-year-old wife, Grace Yaa Ampofo, died in the blaze that destroyed a three-bedroom house ¹.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire broke out around 11:00 p.m. on Sunday after a heavy downpour. The couple was trapped inside the house despite efforts to escape, and their bodies were later recovered from the kitchen area. The fire raged intensively, and the Ghana National Fire Service managed to control the situation after receiving a distress call.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations ongoing. However, a resident, Dortse Mawutse, suspects electrical fault or gas explosion may have been the cause. The Ghana National Fire Service has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire ³.

The community is in shock over the tragic deaths of the chief and his wife. The resident recounted the tragic events, stating that a female occupant who escaped unhurt alerted others, but efforts to save the couple were unsuccessful. The landlord, who is abroad, expressed shock over the incident and revealed that the couple had relocated to the house in May 2025 ³.

According to the Bono Regional Fire Service Public Relations Directorate, their preliminary findings suggest the victims attempted to escape but were trapped in the kitchen. The police have retrieved the charred bodies and deposited them at the Sunyani Teaching Hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

The tragic incident has left the community in mourning, and the news of the couple’s death is expected to be conveyed to their children, who are currently in Wenchi, and other family members. The Ghana National Fire Service has renewed its call on the public to adopt strict fire safety practices to prevent similar tragedies.