Ashanti Region records 270 fire outbreaks
The Ashanti Region has recorded 270 fire outbreaks since the beginning of this year.
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Statistics from the regional office of the Ghana National Fire and Rescue Service (GNFRS) indicate that the Kumasi Metropolis tops with 120 fire outbreaks followed by Mampong, 21; Offinso 18; Ejisu 18; Konongo 14 and Nkawie 14.
The rest are Bekwai 13; Mamponteng 10; Effiduase, six and Obuasi six.
Thirty 0 car-fire accidents were also recorded, bringing the total to 270.
Fire-safety awareness
The Regional Fire Commander, ACFO Semekor Kwaku Fiadzo, made this known during a press briefing in Kumasi after the GNFRS and the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) organised a float through the principal streets of Kumasi to create awareness of the need to maintain a high sense of fire safety.
Personnel of the GNFRS and other individuals who took part in the float carried placards with messages such as “Avoid placing coils near combustible materials", "Always switch off electronic appliance from the wall sockets and remove the plugs after use", and "Avoid illegal connection."
Mr Fiadzo said the GNFRS was seeking to reduce the fire outbreaks from the 1,198 recorded in 2015 by 60 per cent this year.
In line with that, he said, the KMA had inaugurated a 22-member Fire Task Force to oversee market activities in the Kumasi Metropolis to forestall future fire outbreaks.
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He said similar committees had been inaugurated for the other municipalities and districts in the Ashanti Region.
Public awareness
Mr Fiadzo urged residents of the region to adhere to basic fire-safety principles, especially during the harmattan season.
The National Director for Fire Safety, DCFO Michael Yarquah, also entreated managers of education institutions to incorporate fire safety education in their curriculum to educate the students.
He called on churches and mosques to actively join the fight against rampant fire outbreaks.
KMA
The Public Relations Officer of the KMA, Mr Godwin Okumah Nyame, said the assembly would continue to liaise with the GNFRS to put the necessary policies in place in ensuring that the region recorded minimal fire outbreaks.
He urged market women to stick to the KMA by-laws, such as closing their shops and leaving the market by 6 p.m., to enable authorities to do the necessary checks to safeguard the place.