Ghana Records 4,650 Fire Outbreaks in 2024
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has reported a significant increase in fire outbreaks across the country, with a total of 4,650 incidents recorded from January to September 2024.
This marks a 3.17% rise compared to the same period in 2023, which saw 4,507 fire incidents.
Domestic Fires Lead the Surge
Domestic fires have been identified as the primary contributors to this alarming trend. Common causes include electrical faults, improper use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), indiscriminate burning of refuse and bushes, and the misuse of naked flames such as mosquito coils, candles, and lighters.
Expert Insights
Assistant Division Officer Alex King Nartey from the Public Affairs Department of the GNFS provided insights into the situation during an interview on Joy News.
He emphasized that while the increase in fire outbreaks is concerning, it should not be a cause for panic. Nartey suggested that the rise in incidents could be attributed to improved public awareness and reporting.
“Relatively, they (fire outbreaks) have gone up, but it is not to create a gloomy picture. It is rather to talk about how our education has gone down. People initially didn’t know our emergency numbers so a lot of these fires went unreported. So, people are getting our numbers and calling, that is why. The figure doesn’t pose an alarming threat,” Nartey explained.
Urbanization and Fire Risks
Nartey also pointed out that urbanization, particularly in the Greater Accra Region, has contributed to the surge in fire incidents.
“Some of the causes for this is that you realize that there has been a lot of urbanization. People coming from the hinterlands trying to settle in Accra for greener pastures and whatever reasons.
We know the unavailability of rooms, so people tend to resort to slum dwellings, and these slum dwellings are most of the time used for domestic purposes,” he noted.
Call for Public Support
The GNFS is calling for public support to combat the rising number of fire incidents. Nartey urged the public to adhere to fire safety precautions, especially as the dry season approaches.
This increase in fire outbreaks highlights the need for continued public education on fire safety and the importance of proper reporting mechanisms. The GNFS remains committed to addressing these challenges and ensuring the safety of all Ghanaians.
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