A total of 64 fire outbreaks were recorded between January and December 2017, as against 71the same period in 2016 in the Effutu Municipality of the Central Region.

Assistant Divisional Fire Officer One (ADO I) Kobina Kingsley, who is second in command of the Effutu Municipal Fire Service, made this known to the Ghana News Agency in an interview at Winneba.

He said bush fires recorded in the Municipality reduced from 16 in 2016 to four in 2017, adding that domestic fires also reduced from 13 to six within the same period.

He said in 2017, five electrical fire outbreaks were recorded as compared to two in 2016.

Gas fires also increased from two in 2016 to three in 2017 while commercial fire went up from three in 2016 to 10 in 2017.

According to ADO I Kingsley, vehicular fire cases reduced from five in 2016 to four in 2017, while crown fires increased from 1 in 2016 to 2 in
2017.

In 2017, no institutional fire outbreak was recorded as compared to three in 2016, whilst accident fire cases increased slightly from 26 in 2016 to 29 in 2017.

ADO I Kingsley indicated that the reduction of fire outbreaks in the Municipality in 2017 was as a result of sensitisation and educational programmes on fire safety and prevention his outfit organised for the inhabitants.

The sensation programmes were carried on radio stations, marketplaces, churches, lorry stations and at the various communities in the Municipality.

He appealed to inhabitants in the Municipality to continue to adhere to fire safety and prevention regulations to prevent fire outbreaks.

“Our doors are open to attend to civil societies, institutions and individuals who need our services to educate them on fire safety tips,” he added.