The incidents of fire outbreaks in the Central Region increased by 61 per cent from January to May this year as it recorded 283 cases compared to the 178 during the same period last year.

Of the figure, 125 were bushfires followed by domestic outbreaks which recorded 78; vehicular fires recorded 40 whilst electrical faults resulted in 13 fire outbreaks and industrial and commercial fires recording one each.

The Regional Fire Commander, ACFO John Amponsah Tetteh, made this known on Thursday when the Regional Minister, Ama Benyiwa-Doe presented four vehicles to the Service at Cape Coast.

He expressed worry that most of the incidents were as a result of negligence and human errors as people failed to take precautionary measures both at home and on the farm.

It is to alleviate the situation, adding, his office had put a lot of measures in place to ensure the safety of the citizenry as fire outbreaks could contribute to macroeconomic instability, yet the desired result had not yet been achieved.

Among the measures the Command has embarked are the promotion of public education on radio and workplaces, safety inspections, conducting training for community fire volunteer squads, and formation of fire safety clubs in first and second cycle schools.

The Regional Commander said the vehicles would help cover the entire Region in the areas of fire safety inspection and education, and appealed to the Regional Coordinating Council and corporate bodies to assist and support the Service in its programs as well as servicing and maintenance of the vehicles.

He appealed to the market women and traders in major markets to stop the habit of cooking in the markets, employing unqualified electricians, displaying wares on the streets, sealing hydrants with their kiosks.

The public should also desist from blocking roads for funerals without approval and many other hazardous.

Mrs Benyiwa-Doe who commissioned the vehicles including a recovery truck, one water tanker, and two Nissan pickups for the Central Regional Fire Command, said it was part of the Government’s plan to resource the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to enhance its performance and service delivery.

The Recovery Truck would be used to tow vehicles that get damaged on the roads to safe places, whereas the water tanker is to supplement the operational firefighting duties in the Region.

The pickups would also be used for education and training of the public in areas of fire safety and prevention, especially on how to identify and prevent fire hazards in their various homes.

She stressed that safety was a shared responsibly and that the public should play their parts to complement the efforts of the Government and the Service to reduce fire incidents.**