Ashanti regional command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has stepped up its fire safety checks, education and compliance at gas and fuel stations in the region.

The service contends it is being proactive to prevent the occurrence of any major gas and fuel explosion as recently recorded close to the trade fair center in La in Accra where twelve victims died with 16 others sustaining injuries.

Speaking to Ultimate News’ Ivan Heathcote – Fumador, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the fire command Assistant Divisional Officer 1, Desmond Ackah indicated that the ongoing collaboration with fuel stations is necessary to safeguard the region from any fatal fire accidents around fuel stations.

Describing the programme which is drawn to cover attendants, managers and owners of gas stations, he explained, “we advice them at length and tell them what to do and the kind of measures they are to put in place to ensure that they don’t compromise safety and security at their stations.”

“When the gas trucks or bulk tanks come to discharge, they are to ensure that there are fire extinguishers on standby and no naked flame is in use in the vicinity. They are to ensure that no vehicle is allowed within a twenty meter radius around where they are discharging. The tanker should also be properly earthed to ensure that no fire is erupted.”

“We are also teaching the attendants to ensure that they do not overfill household gas cylinders and the makeshift gas cylinders in vehicles,” he added.

ADO 1 Desmond Ackah further cautioned drivers who use vehicles that run on gas to desist from turning on their engines or opening their bonnets when refilling gas at the fuel stations.

Mr Ackah assured that his outfit will not hesitate to close down any fuel station found to be defiant of its fire safety directives.