The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) says there has been a marginal increase in fire incidents nationwide during the first half of 2025.
The service indicates that per the report or data, intensified public education aimed at improving public safety yielded significant gains in other areas.
GNFS, in its comparative data from January to June 2024 and 2025, disclosed that a total of 3,595 fire outbreaks were recorded in the first half of 2025.
The figure represents a slight increase of just 19 cases over the 3,576 incidents during the same period in 2024 and a 0.53% rise in percentage terms.
However, over GHS 203 million worth of property was destroyed during the period under review, highlighting the impact of firefighting interventions.
According to the service, it saw a 34.77% reduction in prank calls to the fire service.
The number of prank calls dropped from 364,020 in the first half of 2024 to 237,470 in 2025.
It explained that this was achieved through sustained public education campaigns and increased awareness of the legal consequences of misusing emergency lines.
“These efforts are clearly paying off,” a GNFS spokesperson noted. “Reducing prank calls means our emergency lines are more accessible to people in real need.”
Top Causes of Fire Incidents
The Service further disclosed that the leading causes of fires in 2025 remained largely consistent with previous years. These include:
- Electrical faults from illegal connections, poor wiring, and overloading of circuits.
- Improper use of electrical appliances, such as overused extension cords and unattended devices.
- Unattended cooking, especially with gas, electric, or coal-based stoves.
- Careless use of naked flames like candles, mosquito coils, lighters, and matches.
- Gas leakages and poor handling of LPG cylinders.
- Bush and vegetation burning, particularly during the dry season.
- Vehicle fires due to poor maintenance and road accidents.
- Unsafe welding and other hot-work practices.
- Deliberate acts of arson.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
