Drivers asked to use chemical powder fire extinguishers

Drivers have been advised to carry dry chemical powder extinguishers in their vehicles instead of the commonly used aerosol type.

Mr. Franklin Philip Masiku, Public Relations Officer of the Volta Regional Command of Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Ho on Monday.

He said the dry chemical powder was more effective than the aerosol because it (aerosol) contained only air, and outmoded.

Mr. Masiku said the GNFS handled 101 fire outbreaks in the Volta region between January and September, this year.

Out of the number, 43 were domestic, 27 were electrical, 19 were bush fires and 12 were vehicular fires.

He said the causes of the fires were mainly accidental, carelessness and negligence.

Mr. Masiku said the Ho Municipal area recorded the highest fire outbreaks of 31 while Adidome district recorded one which was the least.

He said during the same period, the GNFS responded to 27 vehicular accidents which he said claimed two lives.

Mr. Masiku put estimated cost of damage to property at GHC 820,000.

He said there was an upsurge in the domestic and commercial use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)in the region.

Mr. Masiku cautioned drivers and owners of vehicles using LPG to use only well-constructed gas containers, to avoid leakage and subsequent fire outbreaks.

Mr. Masiku said the GNFS had formed a Road Traffic Extrication Team in readiness for the envisaged rise in vehicular traffic on the eastern corridor road when complete.

He said fire volunteers were also being trained in conjunction with other stakeholders to minimize the devastating effect of bush fires during the dry season.

Mr. Masiku said GNFS Volta Regional Command was also intensifying education in schools, markets, industries and workplaces in order to curtail fire outbreaks in the region.