62 killed and 700 others incapacitated in domestic fires

Sixty-two (62) people have been killed and 700 other incapacitated in 4,241 domestic fire outbreaks in the Brong-Ahafo Region over the past 10 years.

The Deputy Regional Fire Officer, Mr. Paa Kwesi Adu-Twum, put the cost of property ravaged at GH? 17 million.

Speaking at a training workshop on firefighting for journalists in Sunyani, he indicated that most of the victims were children and the aged.

On the average, three fire incidents occur in the region each day, something, he described as deeply worrying and unacceptable.

The workshop was organized by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to expose the participants to the basic firefighting and control skills.

Mr. Adu-Twum complained about the situation where many buildings in the area remained uninsured, and said, that should change.

He underlined the need for compliance with the law that makes it mandatory for all public institutions and places – churches, hotels, restaurants and health facilities, to obtain fire certificates.

He hinted of plans to embark on an exercise to enforce the law, adding that, offenders would be arrested and prosecuted.

The Deputy Regional Fire Officer expressed disgust with the phony calls, some unscrupulous people continued to make to the fire stations.

The service, he said, had received about 43,000 such false alarms. He, however, did not give the period, except to say, the practice must stop.

He reminded everybody to heed fire safety education and avoid doing anything that could trigger fire outbreak.