Kumasi: The Ashanti Region recorded a total of 1,172 fire incidents between January and December 2024. This represents an increase from the previous year, 2023, when 928 fire cases were reported. Seven people lost their lives in fire-related incidents during the year.
According to Ghana News Agency, Divisional Officer II (DOII) Peter Addai, the Ashanti Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), attributed the rise in numbers to harsh weather conditions and citizens' non-adherence to fire safety measures. He revealed that the estimated value of property destroyed by fire incidents stood at GH?35,419,608.00, while the cost of items salvaged by the GNFS was GH?29,970,250.00.
DOII Addai noted that domestic fires accounted for the majority of the reported cases, with a total of 454 incidents in 2024, up from 393 in the previous year. Commercial fires were the second most common type of fire incidents reported. The region also witnessed bushfires, especially in rural areas during the dry season, often resulting from activities such as hunting, palm wine tapping, charcoal burning, and slash-and-burn farming practices.
The Public Relations Officer identified major causes of the fire incidents as unattended cooking, electrical faults, improper handling of naked fire and flammable substances, and electrical malfunctions. The highest number of cases occurred during the harmattan season, from January to March, and around December.
Looking ahead to 2025, DOII Addai stated that the GNFS plans to intensify fire safety education campaigns in public spaces and ensure regular fire safety inspections and audits.
