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One Hundred and twenty-seven  people lost their lives while property estimated at over GH¢22 million were destroyed through fire outbreaks between 2011 and 2016 in the Brong Ahafo Region.
 
In all, 3,175 fire outbreaks were recorded out of which fires that emanated from private homes accounted for 1,334 (42 per cent) of the total fire outbreaks within the period under review.

The Brong Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), DCFO Tony Gomez, announced this at a regional launch of a home-fire-safety certification project dubbed, “Dumgya”.

The theme for the launch was “Ensuring Effective Home Fire Safety Certification and Practices.”

Statistics

Mr Gomez explained that a total of 797 bushfire incidents were recorded within the same period.

In 2011, domestic fire outbreaks in the region were 143, while there were 53 bushfires.

Mr Gomez said in 2014, the regional command embarked on an exercise code named, “Operation Safeguard the Brong Ahafo Region” to provide fire education to the people.

The initiative, he stated, resulted in a decline of fire outbreaks in the area.

Causes

The commander attributed the increasing domestic fire outbreaks in the region to change in dynamics of societal preference and technological advancement which had resulted in the use of electrical and gas operated appliances in homes.

Mr Gomez said it was against that background that the GNFS in partnership with some stakeholders, initiated the “Home Fire Safety Certification” campaign to educate the people on the need to put fire safety measures in place.

Residents were also being sensitised to the need to acquire fire-fighting equipment and preventive devices to curtail any fire-related emergencies.