The Central Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has reported a 12% decrease in fire outbreaks in January, from 90 cases in 2023 to 84 in 2024. This reduction has been attributed to the efforts of the GNFS, particularly their intensive fire safety education campaigns, which included door-to-door visits to raise awareness about fire hazards and prevention methods.
Divisional Officer III, Abdul Wasiu Hudu, the Regional Public Relations Officer, highlighted that the first quarter of each year typically sees a spike in fire incidents due to the dryness of the weather, which makes combustible materials more susceptible to igniting. Despite this seasonal trend, the region saw a significant decrease in bushfires, from 37 cases in January 2023 to 30 in January 2024, an 18.9 per cent reduction.
However, not all categories of fires saw a decrease. Domestic fires slightly increased from 21 to 22 cases, and commercial fires saw a significant rise from 10 to 17. On a positive note, vehicular fires decreased from eight cases to four.
DOIII Hudu pointed out that the leading causes of bushfires were the use of fire for clearing lands for farming and construction purposes, along with the unattended burning of refuse, which also contributed to some industrial and commercial fires. He strongly advised market women and shop owners against the unsafe burning of refuse, emphasizing the importance of supervising any burning until it is completely extinguished to prevent accidental spread.
This decrease in fire outbreaks, particularly bushfires, reflects the effectiveness of the GNFS's proactive measures in fire safety education and prevention. However, the increase in commercial fires and the slight rise in domestic fires underscore the need for continued vigilance and education to further reduce fire incidents across all categories.
