For last year’s festive season, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) recorded the highest fire cases when compared to December 2021.
According to GNFS, a total of 624 fires were recorded nationwide for December 2022 as compared to the 567 fires recorded in December 2021.
In a statement issued by the service, the report collated last year saw a 10.1 percent increase in fire cases in December.
The statement signed by T. O-Affum, Director of Public Relations, said 210 and 153 out of the arrival cases were recorded respectively for December 2022 and December 2021 representing an increase of 37.3 percent.
GNFS added that 375 fires were recorded in November 2022 however, 226 fire cases were recorded between December 25 and December 31, 2022.
Although there were no casualties, the service indicated that 12 road traffic collision incidents led to 34 injuries and 2 deaths in the last seven days of December 2022.
“Out of the total fires of 226 recorded for the last week in December 2022, 91 were domestic, 54 bush, 33 commercial, 24 vehicular, 25 electrical installations, 6 crown and refuse dump fires, and 3 institutional fires.”
“There was a total of 55 out of arrival cases. Ashanti region recorded the highest of 36 fires followed by the Greater Accra region with 34 fires and Tema region with 33 fires. North East region recorded the least of 3 fires.” a portion of the statement said.
GNFS disclosed that the increase in recorded cases in the last seven days of December 2022, could be attributed to the careless use of electricity including indiscriminate burning of rubbish, fire emanating from gas leakages, unattended cooking, improper storage of wares with limited ventilation, poorly maintained vehicles and the misuse of naked lights such as mosquito coils and candles.
The service has, therefore, appealed to the leadership and opinion leader of affected communities to collaborate more with the service during the dry season through GNFS’ “pragmatic and tailor-made fire safety awareness and sensitisation campaigns” to end the frequent fire rampages.
GNFS additionally admonished the general public to be extra vigilant with fire. The service also assured the general public of its willingness to collaborate effectively with relevant institutions and stakeholders to strengthen existing measures to timely respond to all fire and related emergencies cases.
