Tema, Sept. 11, GNA - Fire outbreaks in the Tema Metropolis reduced from 147 between January and June last year to 142 during the same period this year.

Mr Kwabena Taah Korang, Tema Regional Fire Officer, told the GNA that domestic fires, which topped the list of types of fires, reduced from 54 in 2008 to 52 this year.

Mr Korang said vehicular fires also reduced from 23 to 11 during the same period under review.

He said it was regrettable that bush fires in the metropolis increased from 23 to 33 while industrial fires shot up from six to 15 during the same period.

Mr Korang said the reduction in fire outbreaks this year as compared to 2008 could be attributed to the service's house-to-house fire safety education campaign launched in February.

Additionally, he said, the situation was also as a result of 748 fire wardens, selected from 30 companies in the Metropolis, who were given training in basic fire fighting techniques from 2007 up to date. Asked about the estimated cost of damage as a result of the outbreaks, Mr Korang said from January to June last year, property worth GH¢2,404,000 was lost and this year the cost was GH¢902,323.25.

He said while no life was lost in 2008, three people died in fire outbreaks between January and June this year. Mr Korang advised the public to desist from storing liquid inflammables in their homes and employ qualified electricians to undertake jobs in their homes.