Machinery destroyed as fire guts plastic recycling facility at Afienya

A fire outbreak has destroyed critical machinery at a plastic recycling facility at Philip Kope near Afienya in the Greater Accra Region, raising concerns over industrial safety and waste management practices.

The incident occurred at Tizaazoya Ventures on Thursday afternoon, with emergency services receiving a distress call at about 14:07 hours.

Preliminary findings indicate that the fire was likely triggered by uncontrolled refuse burning within or around the facility, which rapidly spread through the premises.

The blaze caused extensive damage to key equipment, including an extruder, a rubber washing machine, a recycler, and four crushers, disrupting operations at the plant.

Despite the scale of destruction, no casualties were recorded.

Several nearby properties, including wooden structures, welding shops, metal containers, and residential buildings, were spared from the fire.

Emergency responders brought the situation under control after hours of firefighting, preventing the flames from spreading further into the surrounding community.

Officials say the incident highlights growing concerns over fire risks associated with industrial activities and improper waste disposal practices, particularly in rapidly developing areas like Afienya.