Officers of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) have managed to douse a fire that broke out at the Estate Block of the University of Ghana in Accra on February 26.
The Estate Block, which is near the popular Bush Canteen, is used as a warehouse.
According to DOI Alex King Nartey, the fire started at about 9:00pm, but his men managed to bring it under control in less than an hour.
“Because of the gaseous nature of the substances there, we had to marshal tenders from Madina and Abelemkpe. The fire is 90% extinguished. We are now preventing further spread. We had four fire tenders at the scene,” he said.
He added that, “about 20 fridges and freezers as well as spare parts were burnt.”
The increasing incidences of fire outbreak has become a major concern for many Ghanaians. Earlier this year, the Agbogbloshie Market was burnt. A similar incident occurred at the Kumasi Magazine, not to mention other minor incidents.
Meanwhile, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) recorded a total of 5,596 fire outbreaks between January and November of 2024, as against 5,258 within the same period the previous year, representing a 6.43 percent increase.
The GNFS mentioned harsh weather conditions, non-compliance with fire safety measures by the public, road traffic accidents, and electrical fault gas leakages, among others, as the cause of the fire outbreaks.
Julius Kuunuor, the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) of the GNFS, revealed this when the GNFS held its nine lessons, carols, and thanksgiving service in Accra on the theme “Be an Agent of Peace.”
He said it was sad to note that as of December 18, 2024, 37 fire officers lost their lives and extended heartfelt condolences to family and friends.