Leveraging Forensics to Combat Rising Fire Incidents in Ghana

“Fire does not discriminate whom it burns”

Fire outbreaks in Ghana have become a growing concern, causing significant loss of life, property, and economic assets. From market to industrial blazes in Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Techiman, and others, the inability to effectively determine the causes and prevent future incidents, remains a major challenge. In 2024 alone, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) recorded 6,436 fire incidents, marking a 7.75% increase from the previous year's 5,973 cases. This upward trend underscores the urgent need for effective strategies to mitigate and investigate fire incidents. Leveraging forensic science offers a promising approach to address this challenge, drawing lessons from global practices to enhance Ghana's fire management systems.

Fire forensics plays a fundamental role in determining the origin and cause of fires. By chemical analysis of accelerants (e.g., gasoline, kerosene), electrical and mechanical testing to identify faulty wiring or equipment, digital modelling to reconstruct fire spread patterns, and debris sifting to recover critical evidence and structural damages, forensic experts can distinguish between accidental fires and deliberate arson and recreate a scene. Leveraging forensic investigations, surveillance, and other scientific techniques, it could aid Ghana in identifying liable parties and inform preventive measures to avert future incidents, ensuring accountability and safety.

Globally, forensic investigations have been instrumental in unravelling complex fire cases. For instance, the UK’s Fire Investigation Dogs programme uses canines to sniff out traces of accelerants even after intense blazes, paired with digital tools like 3D laser scanning, UK investigators map fire scenes with millimetre precision. In 2017, these dogs helped identify arson in the Grenfell Tower inquiry the Grenfell Tower fire in the United Kingdom. It prompted an extensive forensic analysis, leading to revelations about flammable cladding materials and lapses in safety regulations. These findings have since influenced policy reforms aimed at enhancing building safety standards.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in the United States has set guidelines that aid in fire investigations, including using accelerant-detection dogs and laboratory analysis of fire debris. The National Response Team (NRT) has resolved high-profile cases like the 2020 California wildfires, where forensic analysis exposed faulty power lines as the cause. Similarly, in Ghana, adopting international best practices and modern fire forensic techniques can help determine whether fires are accidental, deliberate (arson), or due to negligence.

Beyond post-fire investigations, proactive measures such as surveillance and predictive technology can help prevent fire outbreaks. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, thermal imaging sensors, and artificial intelligence (AI) can detect early signs of fire hazards before they escalate into disasters.

Japan and Germany have integrated smart fire detection systems in high-risk zones, such as markets and industrial complexes. These systems use heat and smoke sensors connected to emergency response units, reducing response time and preventing large-scale destruction. Ghana can adopt similar technological advancements to safeguard its urban markets, factories, and residential areas.

Another crucial aspect of leveraging forensics in fire incidents is data collection and policy enforcement. Establishing a national fire incident database, where forensic teams document the causes and patterns of previous fire outbreaks, can help predict future risks. After the 2021 Osaka building fire in Japan, AI models analysed historical data and building codes to flag high-risk structures The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has successfully implemented a National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), which has improved fire safety planning across various states.

In Ghana, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) can collaborate with forensic experts, law enforcement agencies, and policymakers to ensure that building codes, electrical safety standards, and fire safety laws are enforced based on forensic findings. Moreover, public education on fire safety, informed by forensic data, can help citizens and businesses take necessary precautions to prevent avoidable disasters.

For forensic investigations to be effective, Ghana must invest in training fire forensic experts. The government should provide the needed resources to help operationalise the newly established chemical analysis laboratory at the GNFS headquarters. Collaboration with academia both locally and internationally could be harnessed to help run the laboratory. Canada and Australia offer specialised forensic fire investigation courses, producing experts who assist in legal proceedings and policy development. By adopting a similar approach, Ghana can build a robust fire investigation and prevention system.

In conclusion, forensic science holds immense potential in tackling Ghana’s rising fire incidents. By embracing fire forensic investigations, adopting surveillance technology, enforcing data-driven policies, and investing in capacity building, Ghana can significantly reduce fire outbreaks and their devastating effects. Learning from global best practices, the country can move towards a more proactive, scientific, and accountable fire management system. The time to act is now, to safeguard lives, property, and national economic stability.

"The fire you kindle for your enemy often burns yourself more than them." Chinese Proverb