Ghanaian Authorities say a man in Ghana’s Central Region locked his family inside, set home ablaze, killing his wife and six children before taking his life.
A community in Ghana’s Central Region has been left devastated after a man allegedly set his home on fire, killing his wife and six children before taking his own life. The incident occurred in Akyempim, a quiet town now struggling to make sense of an act residents described as both shocking and deeply heartbreaking.
According to preliminary findings by the Ghana National Fire Service, the man is believed to have locked the family inside their room from the outside before igniting the fire in the early hours of the morning. Authorities said the victims included his wife, five young children aged between one and fifteen, and the family’s eldest daughter.
Neighbors reported seeing flames engulf the building but were unable to break in due to the locked door and the intensity of the fire. A disturbing video from the aftermath, shared widely on social media, showed residents and emergency responders retrieving severely burnt remains from the charred structure. Many onlookers were seen in tears as the scope of the tragedy became clear.
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Fire officials confirmed that the bodies were burned beyond recognition, making the recovery operation both emotionally and physically challenging for those involved. Community members said the family had lived in the area for years and were known for keeping largely to themselves.
Hours after the fire was extinguished, search teams located the man’s body in a nearby bush. He was found hanging from a tree, a discovery that immediately strengthened suspicions that the blaze had been intentionally set before he took his own life. Police have since cordoned off the area and launched a full investigation into the events leading up to the incident.
Authorities have not yet released details about potential motives, and relatives of the victims have been too distraught to speak publicly. Grief has rippled through Akyempim, where residents gathered in small groups throughout the day, many openly weeping and questioning how such a tragedy could occur within their community.
Counsellors and local leaders have urged calm as police and fire investigators work to compile a full report. Officials say autopsies and forensic examinations will be conducted, although the severe burns may complicate identification processes.
As Akyempim grapples with the loss of an entire family, local authorities have called for support for the surviving relatives and the wider community. Many fear the psychological toll of the tragedy will linger long after the investigation concludes.
Africa Daily News, New York
