Sex workers displaced as fire ravages wooden structures at Sekondi European Town

A dawn fire outbreak on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, ravaged nearly 50 wooden structures in the European Town Railway enclave, popularly known as Rails Mu, located in Sekondi-Takoradi.

Among the properties destroyed was a church, leaving many residents, including commercial sex workers, without homes.

This disaster has garnered significant public interest since approximately three years ago, a similar fire incident occurred in the same community during a clearance effort by city authorities.

Some residents are calling for an investigation.

“It baffles me why this place catches fire every 9th of September. Authorities must investigate,” remarked an eyewitness.

Abubakar Karmal, Director of NADMO, shared that his office conducted fire safety education in the area just six weeks prior, cautioning against unsafe practices such as candle use.

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The Metro Fire Service indicated that the fire likely originated in one of the wooden shacks.

DO1 Michael Tetteh mentioned that firefighters concentrated on preventing the flames from reaching installations belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana.

Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, who visited the site alongside the Regional Security Council, called the event regrettable, indicating the importance of being prepared and responding swiftly during emergencies.

For many residents, the unsettling recurrence of fires on the same date has increased worries regarding the safety and future of the Rails Mu community.