Three senior high schools located in the Northern Region have suffered huge losses due to a series of fires occurring within a week, highlighting a distressing pattern.

While the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) investigates the causes of the outbreaks, hundreds of students remain displaced, with some having lost all their belongings to the infernos.

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GhanaWeb looks back on the details surrounding these three SHS that have been affected by fire outbreaks within a week.

Nobisco Girls SHS

At the Northern School of Business Senior High School (NOBISCO), a fire on January 28, 2026, gutted five rooms in the girls' dormitory.

While provisions and personal effects were lost, a quick intervention from fire personnel saved four rooms and the entire ground floor.

According to the GNFS, preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was caused by electrical sparks from a faulty service line supplying power to the dormitory block, triggered by intermittent power outages.

In effect, close to 900 students were displaced after the fire destroyed beds, mattresses, books, uniforms, and other personal effects, leaving many of the affected students distressed and without accommodation.

No casualties were recorded.

Tolon SHS

Tolon Senior High School was also hit by a fire incidents, resulting in the displacement of 346 students.

The incident, which occurred on February 2, 2026, saw the fire raze the school's girls' dormitory, destroying personal items including beds, books, and provisions.

In the case of Tolon SHS, authorities are yet to identify the cause of the fire although fortunately, no casualties were also recorded during the incident.

Pong-Tamale SHS

The third institution affected was the Pong-Tamale Senior High School, where the girls’ dormitory was also razed by a fire.

The fire, which occurred on the night of Monday, February 2, 2026, completely destroyed the chop boxes, mattresses, books, and other personal belongings of 147 first-year female students.

Fortunately, the affected students were away on vacation at the time.

Of the 358 female students housed in the dormitory, only the Form One students were impacted.

The GNFS has confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the outbreaks; significantly, no casualties have been recorded across the three incidents.

GES reaction

Meanwhile, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed heads of senior high schools to immediately remove all flammable materials from dormitories and strengthen fire safety measures following the series of fire outbreaks nationwide, not only linked to the schools.

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Additionally, the service has mandated that all schools conduct a fire safety audit every semester in collaboration with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to prevent future incidents and ensure the safety of school communities.

MAG/AE

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