Property worth about GH?199, 500 was destroyed by fire in the Brong Ahafo Region from 159 cases recorded between January and July, Assistant Chief Fire Officer Kwame Larbi Apraku, Brong-Ahafo Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, told the GNA.

He said, during power outages, candles should be placed on a metal container and should be positioned such that the flame would not be in contact with any material especially window and door curtains.

Mr. Apraku said the Service would soon visit public places such as hotels, restaurants, churches and drinking spots to check fire certificates because such public places are required to meet standards set by the GNFS such as provision of smoke detectors before the issuance of certificates for operation.

He said it was illegal for any public place to operate without a fire certificate and warned that such places without certificates would be closed down.

Mr. Apraku said due to the frequent power fluctuation and load shedding all electrical appliances should be switched off when power goes off because when there is power outage, the power returns with force and this could make any electrical appliance not put off to catch fire.