FIRE DESTORYS PROPERTY IN ASHANTI (PAGE 35, SEPT 15, 2010)

A Total of 394 domestic, industrial, vehicular and bush fires occurred in the Ashanti Region between January and June, this year, destroying property estimated at GH¢1,937,937
During the same period last year, property estimated at GH¢1,835,147 was destroyed in the region through fire outbreaks while a total of 393 domestic, industrial, vehicular and bush fires were also recorded.
The Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) in charge of Ashanti Region, Mr Philip Aheng-Mensah, disclosed this in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Kumasi.
He stated that while a total of 66 fire outbreaks destroyed property estimated at GH¢702,650 in the region in January, 100 fire outbreaks destroying property estimated at GH¢125,650 were also recorded in the region in February, this year.
Mr Aheng-Mensah said in March, this year, a total of 77 fire outbreaks destroyed property worth GH¢547,410 and in April, a total of 56 fire outbreaks destroyed property estimated at GH¢154,730.
He said a total of 55 fire outbreaks were also recorded in May, this year, which burnt to ashes property worth GH¢71,077, while June recorded a total of 40 fire outbreaks destroying property estimated at GH¢336,420.
Mr Aheng-Mensah said last year, as many as 121 fire outbreaks were recorded in January, destroying property estimated at GH¢149,980.
He said in February, last year, 58 fire outbreaks were recorded in the region while property estimated at GH¢253,421 was destroyed, adding that in March, last year, a total of 78 fire outbreaks destroyed property worth GH¢848,420.
Mr Aheng-Mensah expressed concern about the spate of fire outbreaks in the region and its socio-economic ramifications, and wondered why the public had become apathetic towards educational campaigns on fire safety measures.
He said it was important for the public to submit their building plans to the Ghana National Fire Service for advice, stressing that with such collaboration, the public could be advised on in-built materials that could be used to reduce the impact on fire if they broke out in their homes in future .