Kpone: Some residents of Shanghai, a suburb of Kpone within the Kpone-Katamanso municipality, have expressed displeasure about the unavailability of a fire station within the municipal capital. The concerned residents voiced their concerns in an interview following a fire outbreak that consumed parts of a pub in the area.
According to Ghana News Agency, the residents noted that due to the lack of a fire station in the town, there was always a delayed response to emergencies as they had to rely on tenders from Tema or Devtraco. They recounted a recent incident involving a suspected gas cylinder leakage in a pub, which exploded while they awaited the arrival of firefighters. The residents managed to prevent the fire from spreading to other structures during the delay.
Assistant Divisional Officer II (ADOII) Alfred Atampugre, in charge of the Devtraco Fire Station, stated that his team received the call at about 18:03 hours and dispatched officers at about 18:04 hours. However, due to traffic on the Tema-Aflao highway, the firefighters arrived by 18:30 hours and controlled the fire by 19:20 hours. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported. He commended the residents for their efforts in controlling the fire and urged caution in fire-related incidents.
Mr. Abraham Nartey Tettey, the Municipal Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), pointed out that many community members did not prioritize fire safety, particularly food vendors lacking safety measures. He mentioned that NADMO plans to intensify fire safety sensitization and education through religious organizations and institutions to prevent future outbreaks. This initiative includes enforcing laws to ensure that fire extinguishers are present in every household, workplace, and public institution.
Mr. Samuel T.K. Morton, the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), identified heavy traffic as a major challenge in prompt fire tender responses. He acknowledged that despite several fire service stations within the municipality, the absence of one in the Kpone enclave often delays fire-fighting efforts. Mr. Morton revealed that the assembly had secured land for a fire station and called on the Ghana National Fire Service and the government for assistance in its construction. He also emphasized the need to remove structures built on water hydrants to ensure easy access to water during emergencies.