W/R: Fire destroys parts of Maaha resort in Ellembelle

A devastating fire broke out on the evening of Wednesday, May 28, 2025, damaging parts of the adjacent Maaha Beach Resort in the Ellembelle District of Ghana’s Western Region.

According to eyewitness accounts and local media reports, the blaze started around 7 p.m. in the kitchen area of Vision Beach.

Fueled by the resort’s wooden structures, the fire quickly intensified, engulfing the entire facility and spreading to the neighbouring Maaha Beach Resort.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), according to reports confirmed that eight rooms at Maaha Beach Resort were affected before the flames were brought under control.

Eyewitnesses say initial firefighting efforts were hampered due to the lack of immediate support.

A fire tender from the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant reportedly passed by the scene but was unable to assist, citing incompatibility between the fire’s nature and their firefighting chemicals.

“The fire didn’t start from our end but from Vision Beach. It started from the kitchen through its front desk before it spread to our place [Maaha]. The Ghana Gas fire tender was even passing when the fire started but they said they couldn’t help because of the chemicals they use.”

“So we called the personal assistant of the MP to call Axim and other tenders to come and help,” she said.

With limited local firefighting capacity, calls for help were made through the personal assistant of the area’s Member of Parliament.

Fire tenders from Axim and surrounding areas eventually arrived to douse the flames and prevent further destruction.

The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the complete destruction of Vision Beach and the partial damage to Maaha Beach Resort have raised concerns among residents and stakeholders in the tourism industry.

The cause of the fire remains unknown as officials await the outcome of a formal investigation. No injuries or casualties have been reported as of Thursday morning.