Reports from the Western Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) showed that there was also a decrease in fire-related injuries and fatalities from 184 injuries in 2023 to 30 in 2024.
The number of fire related death also reduced from 20 in 2023 to 14 in 2024.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) II, David Ansah Darko, the Regional Fire Commander, in an interview said majority of the cases recorded were domestic fires, and that they were largely caused by electrical faults, unattended cooking, and improper use of gas cylinders.
“Additionally, bushfires accounted for a significant portion of cases, especially during the dry season, often triggered by illegal land clearing, cigarette smoking, and uncontrolled burning of waste,” he stated.
According to him, industrial fires were less frequent, but still posed serious threats, mainly due to electrical malfunctioning, and flammable material storage issues among others.
Touching on the reduction in cases during last year, ACFO II Darko said the success was as a result of enhanced sensitisation drive rolled out by the Command across the Region.
He said the Command would sustain the positive trend by intensifying efforts to further reduce fire incidents in the region this year.
He said: “We will roll out strategic interventions aimed at ensuring both government and private organizations fully comply with fire prevention and response measures for us to even do better in terms of the numbers in 2025.”
GNA
