Domestic fires shoot up by 4.7 per cent in Ashanti

Domestic fires recorded in the Ashanti Region surged from 377 in 2013 to 449 in 2014 representing almost five per cent increase.

The figure formed part of the total of 1,074 of all fires in 2013 and 810 in 2014, but figures for the fatalities within the same period was not given.

The increase though marginal, led to loss of property estimated at GH?32,281,015.00.

According to statistics made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Tuesday by the Ashanti Regional Fire Service, home fires alone constituted more than 40 per cent of all fires, the highest in the Region.

The situation has necessitated an aggressive fire education campaign, which is currently on-going at the instance of the GNFS to stem the tide.

The GNFS blamed the high incidence of domestic fires on negligence and failure to call fire officers on time to fight fires as soon as they occur.

An advice has also gone to the public to switch off all electrical home appliances when going out to avoid fire outbreaks in the event of power outages or surges.