Tema, Jan. 25, GNA - An estimated amount of GH¢ 3,298,555.00 worth of properties, were lost in fire outbreaks in the Tema Metropolis, last year, (2010).

The properties, which included buildings, offices, cars, and personal effects, among others, were gutted in the 218 fires recorded in the Metropolis last year.

Mr Timothy Osafo Affum, Tema Regional Public Affairs Officer (PAO) of the Ghana National Fire Service disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Monday. Mr Affum said out of the total amount, a loss of GH¢2,127,620.00 was made in the first quarter of the year, while the second quarter recorded an amount of GH¢800,475.00, as being lost to fires.

He said the Tema Regional Office of the Ghana National Fire Service recorded an estimated GH¢154,350.00 and GH¢216,110.00 respectively, in the third and fourth quarters of 2010.

Mr Affum stated that out of the 218 fire outbreaks recorded last year, 71 were domestic in nature, while 19, 33, and six, were industrial, vehicular and institutional fires respectively.

He added that other categories were 22 electrical fires, 21 each commercial and bush fires, as well as 25 others.

The Fire PAO further said 46 of the fires occurred in the first quarter of the year, while 54 happened in the second quarter.

He said the third quarter recorded 47 fire outbreaks, while the fourth quarter, 71.

Mr Affum said as many as 39 deaths were also recorded through accidents, adding that, eight of the victims lost their lives through fire outbreaks, while the remaining 31 were killed in accidents.

He said 162 also got injured in the fire and vehicular accidents, adding that, his outfit also received 18 false alarms.

Mr Affum said due to the harmattan season, all combustibles had lost water, and since this could cause them to catch fire easily, the public must endeavour to avoid acts that could result in outbreaks

He also entreated drivers, especially private car drivers, to desist from smoking in their vehicles, because that could also lead to the outbreak of vehicular fires.

He further stated that they should refrain from throwing pieces of lighted cigarettes out of their moving vehicles, since that could cause bush fires.

Mr Affum also pleaded with farmers to put a stop to setting of fires to catch games, as apart from burning the bushes, they endangered the lives of the animals.

The Fire PAO also entreated palm wine tappers not to carry naked fires from their homes to the bush, but to rather set the fires at their workplaces, and put them off after their activities.