By GRACE ZIGAH
A devastating fire has destroyed a significant portion of the family residence of the late former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Murtala Mohammed, in Tamale, with firefighters rescuing two schoolchildren who were trapped inside the building.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, when the blaze engulfed the family compound, destroying nine of the 17 rooms in the house before personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) succeeded in bringing the inferno under control.
According to the Northern Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, ADO I Hudu Baba, the Service received a distress call at 3:29 p.m. Firefighters were immediately dispatched to the scene and arrived within eight minutes, reaching the property at 3:37 p.m.
Speaking to Channel One News, ADO I Hudu Baba disclosed that upon arrival, firefighters discovered that two schoolchildren had become trapped in one of the affected rooms.
He said the rescue team successfully evacuated the children before intensifying efforts to contain the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to the remaining sections of the house.
Although nine rooms were destroyed in the blaze, emergency responders managed to save the rest of the structure from complete destruction.
The Ghana National Fire Service has since commenced investigations to determine the cause of the fire and assess the full extent of the damage caused to the property.
The incident has rekindled memories of the tragic loss suffered by the family exactly one year ago.
Murtala Mohammed was among the eight prominent Ghanaians who lost their lives in the military helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region.
The delegation had departed Accra for the Ashanti Region on an official assignment when the helicopter crashed, killing everyone on board.
Among those who died in the tragedy were Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, NDC National Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, as well as three crew members.
The latest fire incident comes as family members continue to mourn the late statesman, with investigations now underway to establish what sparked the blaze that damaged the family home in Tamale.
