Ghana loses GH¢1.47m to fire outbreaks in 2012 first quarter
Ghana lost GH¢1.47 million to 704 fire outbreaks in the first quarter of 2012, as against GH¢1.62 million that was recorded in the same period of 2011.
According to statistics made available to the Daily Graphic by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) damage caused by fire to the Western Region during the period, was the highest, destroying property worth GH¢175,350 whiles the Central Region recorded the least of GH¢2,450.
In the same period of 2011, the Ashanti Region lost GH¢769,000 to fire, being the highest followed by GH¢595,556 in the Brong Ahafo Region with the Central Region registering the least of GH¢350.
In the first quarter of this year, the GNFS has recorded 260 domestic fires, 34 industrial fires, 61 vehicular fires and 22 institutional fires. Forty-four electrical and 64 commercial fires were recorded, with bush fires registering 153.
The fires caused seven deaths and 18 injuries during the period, while in 2011, 13 injuries and two deaths respectively were reported.
In 2011, 328 fires were recorded, industrial, 37, vehicular, 79, institutional, 27, electrical, 48, commercial, 92 and bush, 102. All those incidents, except bush fires, exceeded the 2012 figures.
Talking about measures to reduce the incidents of fire outbreaks in the country, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, Prince Billy Anaglate, told graphic.com.gh that the Service had embarked on a series of fire awareness campaigns, particularly, in the market places to minimise the fire outbreaks which hitherto was rampant in the markets.
He said the GNFS was focussing its attention from fire fighting to fire prevention for which reason, it was ensuring that organisations and other institutions had in their premises valid fire certificates and extinguishers, adding that a team from the service would from time to time inspect them to ensure that they complied with Fire Safety Regulations.
The Regulations mandate institutions to put in place fire safety measures such as fire exit points, obtain valid fire certificates and possess active fire extinguishers in case of any eventuality.
Source: Daily Graphic