Kumasi, May 20, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Headquarters of Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), recorded 300 fire outbreaks during the first quarter of the year, destroying property worth GH¢2,897,883.90. Between the same period last year, 314 fire outbreaks were recorded and property destroyed was estimated at about GH¢2,203,514.60. Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Mr Obeng Dankwa Dwamena disclosed this to Ghana News Agency in an interview in Kumasi at the weekend. He attributed the reduction in fire outbreaks to the intensification of public education and people's understanding of the need to be careful with fires.

However, Mr Dwamena said the reduction should not lead to complacency but more efforts by the people for further reduction. Mr Dwamena who is also the Ashanti Regional Fire Officer, said domestic fire was the highest with 116 cases, bush fires 58, commercial fire 36 and industrial fire 34.

He during the period, personnel of the Service visited 16 schools including Community International School at Pakyi, Osabarima Educational Complex, Vicandi International School all in Kumasi, some churches and markets to educate the people on causes and prevention of fires. Mr Dwamena appealed to parents to educate their children on the best ways of preventing and controlling fires to enable them prepare their minds on fire outbreaks.

He asked management of companies and institutions to train their staff on fire prevention and control as well as checking and changing faulty appliances since that could easily cause fire. Mr Dwamena said there was the need for all and sundry to take precautionary measures to avoid overloading electrical gadgets. He urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to enact and strengthen their by-laws to check the rampant and indiscriminate bush fires especially in farming communities during the dry season.