Statistics available at the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) indicates that properties worth GH¢ 2,082,495 were destroyed by 1,237 fire outbreaks between January-March this year. Within the same period last year, property worth GH¢1,619,119 were destroyed from 899 fire outbreaks.

This was disclosed by the Divisional Officer Grade (DOIII) Ellis Robinson Okoe, Acting Public Relations Officer of GNFS in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday. The fire outbreaks include domestic, industrial, vehicular, institutional, electrical, commercial and bush fires.

DO Okoe said Ashanti Region recorded the highest fire outbreak of 379 destroying properties estimated at GH¢1,583,410, followed by Central Region with 209 destroying properties estimated at GH¢2,450.

There were no fire outbreaks recorded within the period in Brong Ahafo and Upper East Regions. During the first quarter of last year, Ashanti Region recorded the highest fire outbreaks with 199 cases destroying properties estimated at GH¢768,190 followed by Greater Accra Region with 163 fire disasters.

DO Okoe cited carelessness as a major cause of fire disasters and cautioned the public to put off all electronic gadgets when leaving home for work.

He lauded government’s effort in equipping the fire service, and called on individuals and corporate entities to complement the efforts.

“As the population increases, the need to adequately equip the service becomes more urgent,” he explained.

DO Okoe said accommodation was a major challenge of the GNFS, adding: “In the event of a national emergency, it will be difficult for us to mobilise personnel to handle it.”

He appealed for more fire academies and training institutions to serve the West Africa Sub-Region in addition to the existing one located at James Town in Accra.**