Tema records increase in fire outbreaks

Tema, Jan. 08, GNA- The Tema Municipal office of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) recorded 273 fire outbreaks between January and December 2006 as against 222 in the year 2005.

Ninety-three of the cases were recorded under domestic, whiles industrial cases stood at 19 with the total cost of damage during the period reaching 253,062 million cedis.

Mr Paul Tamakloe, Commander of the Tema branch of the GNFS in an interview, said 29 of the total cases recorded were vehicular whiles 11 were bush fires.

He attributed the increase in fire outbreaks in the municipality to ignorance, non-adherence to safety measures, carelessness as well as faulty electrical wires.

He said as measure to reduce the incidence of fire this year, the GNFS will embark on educational campaigns to sensitize residents on the need to prevent fires.

He cautioned the public against bush burning during the Harmattan period and advised households to change gas cylinder regulators when they notice that it is leaking.

Mr Tamakloe cautioned owners of Public places, factories and industries to acquire fire certificates in accordance with LI 1724, before starting operations, and that a task force will soon go round to inspect such licenses and those without it would be prevented from operating.