BY: REBECCA SEDINAM AFFOR
Gone are the days when the news of fire outbreaks was mostly recorded in the villages during the month of December.
This is because Harmattan is a season in Ghana, which is in December. During this time, the weather is mostly hot, dry, and dusty, and it is the time when farmers in the rural areas begin to get their farms ready to plant their crops, and there is an increase in fires because most of them forget to put out the fires completely.
Today’s story is different, as most towns and cities in Ghana continue to see an increase in domestic fire outbreaks. As of January 14, 2023, there were 16 fires reported in Kumasi, Ghana’s second-largest city. Kasoa, on the other hand, recorded 17 fire cases in less than a month as at 2023. It is a devastating side, for most of these fire cases recorded so far have involved casualties. Families were burnt into ashes with no recognition as most of the fire cases recorded.
Although the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), over the years, implemented programs and initiatives in schools, churches, institutions, marketplaces, lorry stations to educate people on fire prevention and what to do when there is a fire outbreak. They encourage everyone to keep fire extinguishers in their homes to put out small fires and prevent their spread and casualties.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) mentioned that there have been lots of domestic fire cases with casualties because of the increase in burglarproof and other metal security doors and gates against armed robbers and thieves, which make it extremely difficult for people to escape during fire outbreaks.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is appealing to everyone to at least have fire detectors, which will give an alert when there is going to be a fire outbreak, and also fire extinguishers in their homes, cars, and offices as the first fire aid to help kill fire outbreaks at an early stage before they escalate and help the fire service work effectively and save lives.
