The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has identified human error and technical malfunctions as the primary catalysts for fire outbreaks in the first quarter of 2026.
While fatalities and injuries have plummeted, domestic and commercial incidents remain a significant concern for emergency responders.
Electrical faults stand as the leading cause of these blazes.
Analysis reveals that the misuse of appliances and the overloading of circuits frequently trigger short circuits, igniting surrounding property.
Although large-scale industrial electrical fires have dipped, domestic outbreaks linked to faulty wiring and poorly maintained gadgets have risen, particularly in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions.
Kitchen negligence further compounds the risk.
The GNFS recorded 881 domestic fires during this period, many of which were sparked by unattended cooking or gas leakages.
These incidents often stem from the improper use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) stoves and a failure to inspect cylinders for wear. In high-density residential areas, such lapses frequently lead to rapid, uncontrollable fire spread.
Investigators also highlighted the persistent “misuse of naked lights.”
The careless placement of lit mosquito coils and candles, alongside the improper disposal of matches, continues to initiate preventable disasters. When coupled with the indiscriminate burning of refuse and bushes—which still accounts for 10% of call-outs—the environmental and structural risks remain acute.
In response, the GNFS is intensifying safety audits and inspections of both public and private commercial premises to neutralise hazards at the source.
The Service is also expanding its community volunteer programme, training locals to create fire belts and adopt sustainable farming practices to reduce bushfire reliance.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
