The Acting Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) of the Central Region, Mr John Amponsah -Tetteh has expressed concern about the high rate of vehicle fires recorded in the Region this year.

He said from January to October 55 vehicle fires were recorded and described it as unprecedented and urged drivers to regularly check the electrical wiring of their vehicles and also to constantly maintain their vehicles.

Mr Amponsah-Tetteh made this known when the Interior Minister Mr Mark Owen Woyongo visited the Region to interact with institutions under his ministry.

He said 290 fires had been recorded in the region out which 105 are domestic fires and called on the public to ensure fire safety in their homes, workplace and even churches.

There were 68 motor accidents with 17 deaths and 270 injuries and stressed the need for a well-coordinated linkage between the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and the Ghana Ambulance service to help save lives during fire and motor traffic accidents.

Mr Amponsah-Tetteh said in many instances after people were rescued from fire disasters there were no ambulances to convey them to health facilities as a result some of the victims die.

Touching on the challenges facing the service in the Region, he said the region was inadequately resourced and that out of the 20 districts only seven had appropriate fire stations.

He appealed to district assemblies that did not have fire stations to provide the structures and that the Service would provide the men to manage the stations.

Mr Amponsah-Tetteh said the Region did not have office equipment and a standby generator and with the current power rationing it was greatly affecting the work of the service.

He said the Service also needed chain saw machines to cut trees that fall on major roads during rainstorms.

He gave the assurance that the Service would continue to educate the public on fire disaster, prevention and management and commended the various radio stations in the region for assisting the service to conduct its education campaigns.