Upper West Region records 96 fire outbreaks in 2007

The Upper West Regional branch of the Ghana National Fire Service recorded a total of 96 fire outbreaks in 2007 as compared to 51 in 2006, Mr Douglas Koyiri, Deputy Regional Fire Officer has said. Divisional Officer Grade One Koyiri, who was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Wa on Monday, attributed the rise in fire outbreaks in 2007 to the national electricity crisis the country experienced. He said as a result of the frequent electricity interruptions, many people most times forgot to put off their gadgets "and anytime the electricity was restored, the high initial current sometimes starts fires which accounted for the more fire outbreaks in 2007 as compared to 2006". Mr Koyiri said although 2007-recorded more fire outbreaks than in 2006, only two casualties were recorded as compared to four during the same period in 2006. The Fire Officer said the estimated cost of damage to property stood at GH¢266,000 in 2007 as compared to GH¢126,000 in 2006. The Deputy Fire Officer warned against illegal electrical connections as it was identified as a major cause of fire outbreaks throughout the country and pledged the support of the service to carry out all necessary educational programmes to reduce the rate of fire outbreaks in the region.