Mr Bright Ahiabley, a Safety Officer of Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has advised the public to acquire fire extinguishers in their homes, offices and vehicles to save lives and property during fire outbreaks.

He said people are afraid of thieves more than fire and therefore protect their houses with metal gates but does not attach much important to fire safety.

Mr Ahiabley gave the advice during a two-day fire safety and prevention training organised by the Management of the Cocoa House in Sunyani for staff of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and tenants of that eight-floor edifice.

The training, attended by more than 100 participants treated topics such as prevention of fire, classes of fire, common fire safety and critical knowledge on life saving devices and equipment.

Mr Ahiabley said thieves steal part of a property “fire sweeps away long time investments …and sometimes even takes people lives.”

He therefore entreated the public to contact the GNFS to know the appropriate extinguishers suitable for their homes and offices and not just buy from any shop or on the street.

Mr Ahiabley asked participants to flee for their safety when a fire alarm goes off, while all electrical gadgets should be switched off when not on use.

He said ceiling fans and air conditions that work throughout the day is very dangerous because it could be over-heated to easily cause fire outbreak.

He said fire fighting requires courage but calmness and therefore urged the public not to panic in the event of fire outbreak and should rather walk to any available exit or assembly point for safety.

Mrs Monica Ortsin, Brong-Ahafo Regional Administrator of the COCOBOD said the training was necessitated because of a recent fire outbreak at one of the offices on the sixth floor of the building.