Fire razes 18 rooms at Maaha Beach Resort, Ellembele
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
At least 18 rooms at the Maaha Beach Resort in the Ellembele District of the Western Region were destroyed on the night of Wednesday, May 28, following a fire outbreak that began at the adjacent Vision Beach Resort.
District Fire Commander, Divisional Officer II Mark Hamilton, confirmed the incident in an interview with the media shortly after the blaze was brought under control.
According to him, the fire started around 7:00 p.m. at Vision Beach Resort before spreading rapidly to parts of Maaha Beach Resort due to the proximity of the structures and the presence of combustible materials.
“By the time we arrived, the flames had already engulfed a section of Maaha Beach Resort. We immediately deployed multiple firefighting units to contain the spread and prevent it from reaching other nearby structures,” DO II Hamilton said.
The fire was finally brought under control at approximately 10:00 p.m., after nearly three hours of intense firefighting operations. DO II Hamilton confirmed that although significant infrastructure damage was recorded, no casualties were reported.
“Thankfully, there was no loss of life. Our teams worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of both guests and staff, and we managed to evacuate everyone in time,” he disclosed.
Initial assessments indicate that the affected rooms were completely destroyed, with property including furniture, electronic appliances, and personal belongings consumed by the fire. Investigations into the cause of the fire are currently underway.
In the meantime, DO II Hamilton has advised owners and managers of hospitality facilities, particularly beach resorts and hotels, to prioritize fire safety. He stressed the importance of having functioning fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and trained personnel on-site to handle emergencies.
“The tourism sector is growing, and so must our commitment to safety. Preventive measures are more cost-effective than emergency response,” he added. The management of Maaha Beach Resort has yet to release an official statement, but sources indicate that plans are being made to relocate affected guests and begin restoration work as soon as possible.
