Poor layout of building major hindrance to our work, GNFRS bemoans

The Ghana National Fire and Rescue Service (GNFRS) is worried poor layout of buildings in the country is a major obstruction in dealing with the incidence of fire outbreaks.

The service has underscored the need for developers to submit their building plans to the Fire Service for expert advice on the appropriate siting of their project to avoid obstruction.

Musa Andoh, Leading Fireman of the Komfo Anokye Fire Office told Ultimate Radio that in the event of fire outbreak, accessibility to fire scenes become very difficult as spaces earmarked for particular purposes have been developed.

The concerns were raised after fire razed down a four bedroom house at Kwadaso Estate here in Kumasi. The occupants were rescued before any fatalities, but the fire service was worried about poor layouts of buildings in the country.

He was also worried that several people didn’t know the fire services numbers and still called 999 in the event of fire outbreaks.

He educated that, “the number is 192, and the 999 is no longer in existence.”

An eyewitness, Justice Aboagye narrating the incident to ultimate radio said he was drawn to the scene by the screams of an old woman who apparently owned the house.

He told ultimate radio’s Julius Caesar Anadem that as they tried to put off the fire, they realized that a gas cylinder exploded gearing up the whole building in flames.

He also expressed concern about the improper layout of structures as he empathized with the firemen who struggled before gaining access to the affected buildings.

He stated that the fire could have been put out early enough if houses were properly arranged to allow easy accessibility.

He feared that any other fire outbreaks in the many communities with such scattered and closely arranged settlements could be disastrous.