The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in the Upper East Region has recorded a total of 245 fire incidents between January 1 and November 30 this year, according to statistics presented by DO2 Callistus Nibunu, the Regional Public Relations Officer of the Upper East Command.
Addressing the media ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities, DO2 Nibunu cautioned that the festive season, though joyful, remains one of the most fire-prone periods due to increased domestic, commercial and social activities.
Out of the 245 cases recorded, domestic fires accounted for the highest number, with 132 incidents, marking a decline from 174 cases recorded during the same period last year. He noted that although any fire incident is undesirable, the reduction reflects improved public awareness and education.
The region recorded no industrial fires this year, compared to four cases in 2024, while vehicular fires rose to 26 cases, up from 16 last year. DO2 Nibunu said the Service is engaging transport unions through targeted education to help reverse the trend.
Institutional fires increased to six cases, from two last year, while electrical fires dropped significantly from 27 in 2024 to 14 this year. Commercial fires also reduced from 40 to 33 cases, while bush fires saw a slight increase from 25 to 26 cases. The Service recorded two “other” fire incidents, down from seven last year.
Despite the overall reduction in incidents, the cost of fire damage rose sharply to about GH₵3.2 million, compared to GH₵1.44 million last year. DO2 Nibunu explained that the extent of damage often depends on the value and nature of items involved in a fire, rather than the number of incidents alone.
However, he said the Service made significant gains in salvaging property, saving an estimated GH₵17.47 million worth of assets, compared to GH₵2.11 million last year, attributing the improvement to quicker response and improved firefighting strategies.
DO2 Nibunu emphasized that many festive-season fires are preventable and often caused by human actions, particularly electrical overloading, unattended cooking, and improper handling of gas cylinders. To ensure a fire-free festive season, the Upper East Command has intensified public education, with officers going house-to-house and maintaining a constant presence in markets, including the old and new markets in Bolgatanga.
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