Six Students Injured Fighting Fire at Leklebi SHS in Volta Region

A fire that broke out at Leklebi Senior High School in the Volta Region on Tuesday, July 21, left six male students with minor injuries after they attempted to extinguish the flames before professional firefighters arrived on scene. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) confirmed that eight people in total required medical treatment following the incident, though all were later discharged from hospital.

The fire started in the House Master's apartment, which is located on the top floor of a residential building at the school. The GNFS received a distress call at 4:21 p.m. and dispatched a team from the Hohoe Fire Station immediately. Led by Hohoe Municipal Fire Commander DO III Bismark Hosu-Porbley, the firefighting crew arrived to find the apartment completely engulfed in flames.

Swift Response Prevents Wider Damage

The quick arrival and response of the fire service proved crucial in containing the emergency. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control before it could spread to other buildings on the school campus, preventing what could have been a much larger disaster affecting student accommodation and school infrastructure. In addition to the six students injured during their initial response, the apartment's two occupants—a male and a female—collapsed after learning about the fire and also required medical attention. All eight victims were treated and released from hospital.

Why It Matters for Ghana

School safety remains a critical concern across Ghana's secondary education system. Fires at educational institutions pose serious risks to student welfare and highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and evacuation procedures. The incident at Leklebi SHS underscores several key issues facing schools nationwide: the need for fire safety equipment and training, the dangers students face when attempting to handle emergencies without proper equipment or training, and the vital role professional fire services play in protecting educational infrastructure.

The heroic but risky decision by the six students to attempt fighting the fire themselves illustrates a common problem where lack of awareness or emergency protocols can put young people in danger. Whilst their instinct to help was commendable, engaging with active fires without training or equipment is extremely hazardous. This incident serves as a reminder for school administrators to invest in fire safety awareness programmes, maintain working fire extinguishers and emergency exits, and establish clear evacuation procedures.

The GNFS response demonstrates the importance of having functional fire stations within accessible distances of schools. The Hohoe Fire Station's swift dispatch likely saved the school from extensive damage. However, Ghana's education sector would benefit from more proactive fire safety audits and training at secondary schools to prevent similar incidents and ensure students know when and how to safely evacuate rather than engage with active fires.