Berekum: The Divisional Officer Grade One (DOI), Usman Issahaku Mohammed, the Berekum East Municipal Fire Safety Officer in the Bono Region, has advised traders at the Berekum Central Market to desist from cooking in their shops to prevent fire outbreaks. He stated that the Berekum fire tender had been grounded for some time and emphasized the need for market women to handle naked fires carefully to avoid potential hazards.
According to Ghana News Agency, DOI Mohammed highlighted that electrical faults were also a significant factor in domestic fire outbreaks. He urged traders and residents to inspect their wiring systems regularly and consider re-wiring their shops and residences every 25 years. Additionally, he advised the public to always check and switch off their electrical appliances and gadgets before leaving home for work.
In a separate interview, Assistant Divisional Officer Grade One (ADOI) Derick Boateng, the Berekum Municipal Fire Education Officer, mentioned that it was illegal for market women and traders to bring Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders to cook in their shops at the central market. He warned that offenders would face prosecution and encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspects to the service, noting that this practice also contributed to fire outbreaks in the municipality.
