The Western Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded to 350 fire incidents between January and November 30, 2025, resulting in 24 deaths and 79 injuries.
Out of the total incidents recorded, 114 were domestic fires, accounting for 32.6 per cent with properties and livelihood worth GH 12,972,524.00 destroyed.
Speaking on the statistics, the Western Regional Fire Commander, Assistant Chief Fire Officer II (ACFO II) David Darko, urged the public to strictly observe fire safety measures, assuring that the Service remains committed to rolling out interventions to curb the rising incidence of domestic fires.
According to him, most domestic fire outbreaks are attributed to negligence, overloading of electrical sockets, use of inferior electrical appliances, as well as worn-out liquefied petroleum gas cylinders and faulty gas regulators.
ACFOll Darko also expressed concern over the growing trend of constructing houses with fully burglar-proofed doors and windows, warning that such designs pose serious safety risks during emergencies.
“Our houses today are heavily fortified with burglar proofs. We are security conscious but not safety conscious. During fire outbreaks and other emergencies, occupants often become trapped, making rescue efforts extremely difficult. Sadly, lives have been lost because firefighters could not gain access in time,” he lamented.
He therefore advised homeowners and builders to adopt burglar-proof systems that can be easily opened from the inside during emergencies.
As part of efforts to reduce domestic fire incidents, the Western Regional Command of the GNFS has intensified public education, embarking on a door-to-door fire safety sensitisation campaign across communities.
ACFOll Darko urged residents to take the education seriously and implement the safety protocols, particularly during the festive season when fire risks increase.
“To ensure a safe festive season, fire education and safety task forces have been deployed to lorry parks, markets, factories, churches and mosques to educate the public. We are also intensifying patrols along major roads within the metropolis and the Accra–Takoradi highway, which is highly prone to road traffic crashes,” he stated.
