Electrical Fire Outbreaks......

Curse Or Blessing
Thursday, 18 March 2010 10:19

“......It is with our passions as it is with fire and water; they are good servants, but bad masters,”
Roger L'Estrange, Aesop's Fables, 1692.

Hardly a day passes by without news of a fire outbreak in any part of the country. It is no doubt,
therefore, that these recent fire outbreaks in the country have generated a lot of discussions
centering on rumours which might turn baseless. Whilst some relate it to politics, sabotage or
religious differences others also say it is attributable to negligence.

But the question at hand is: what is the real cause of these recent outbreaks of fire in the
country?

It is needless saying that fire has become an essential part of our daily lives to the extent that
we cannot live without it. Our work places, homes, recreational centers, churches indicate that
no matter the situation one cannot do without electric power.

Electrical Fire, therefore, plays a major role in the life of humans. Current fire outbreak statistics
from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) for the year 2009 reveals that as of January 25th
2010, electrical fires totalled 218, constituting 8.4% of 2,584 total fire outbreaks.  

Despite the significant role electricity plays in our daily lives, we do not imagine how destructive
it can be when not well taken care of.  Without doubt, almost everything being used at home or
at the office uses electricity. It takes one of those items to spark an electrical fire and put the
whole house or office in danger.

Although some of these electrical fires are caused by electrical system failures as well as
appliance defects some are also caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical
appliances, incorrectly installed wires, illegal electricity connections and the use of shoddy
electrical gadgets.

The Chief Fire Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, Mr. William Brown Acquaye, recently
in a press statement, indicated that the management of Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS)
has observed with great concern the spate of recent fire outbreaks within the country, especially
with reference to outbreaks associated with public buildings. He advised that buildings that have
been in existence for more than ten years undergo inspection and testing of electrical cables by
electrical engineers, with electrical re-wiring if required.

Last year, there were unquantifiable loss of property through fire outbreaks at prominent places
such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Ministry of
Information, Ecobank (Ring Road), with the Tema Oil Refinery being the most devastating
amongst all.

These notwithstanding, the fire outbreaks in Kumasi market which occurred last year, brought
about untold hardships to victims and their households. Despite the devastating nature of the
fire outbreaks, it seems no one has learned any lesson from the accidents. Day-in-day-out, one
fire after the other, occur at our various work places and homes.

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Electrical Fire Outbreaks...... Curse Or Blessing
Thursday, 18 March 2010 10:19

If care is not taken, by the end of the year, fire would have caused incalculable damages to lives
and property at workplaces and in our various homes.

Many people have criticised the capabilities of firefighters in the country saying they have not
been able to protect the nation as far as fire outbreaks are concerned. Others believe, aside the
fact that the service lacks essential facilities; firemen can make the fire service more active by
inspecting markets places, homes and companies and making sure that the right procedures
are followed.

People have also suggested the creation of alleys, elimination of congestion and segregating
the markets especially into various sections to enhance easy access by fire tenders and
engines in times of fire.

There is the need to intensify public education on fire safety and prevention. The issue of public
education often comes anytime there is fire outbreak, but it takes only a few days of talking and
it ends there until another fire breaks out.

I commend the Tema Metropolis for recording a reduction in Fire outbreak from 230 in 2008 as
compared to 277 in 2007.

Tema Metropolitan Fire Station recorded 185 fire outbreaks, 28 by Ashaiman Fire Station, Tema
Industrial nine, Dodowa Fire station eight (8) and Ada Station for not recording any fire
outbreak.

Source: Michelle Fafa Agbenorto (ISD)

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