Fire scenes must be left under the full control of trained firefighters — GNFS

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has cautioned the public against interfering in fire emergency operations, stating that fire scenes must be left solely under the control of trained firefighters.

The warning comes after a group of civilians unlawfully took hold of firefighting equipment during a fire incident at the Lucky Media/Herbal Clinic in Kasoa on Monday, June 16.

According to the GNFS, the fire started around 8:43 am as a result of a gas cylinder explosion caused by unattended cooking.

Fire crews from the Kasoa and Anyaa Fire Stations swiftly responded and managed to bring the fire under control by 9:30 am, eventually extinguishing it completely at 10:54 am.

The blaze, which recorded no casualties, affected the first floor of a one-storey building used as both a media studio and residential apartment, destroying seven rooms.

But the GNFS describes as a “reckless” and “dangerous” interference by members of the public during the firefighting operation.

Civilians reportedly forcefully snatched a hose from firefighters and attempted to douse the flames themselves at a time when power supply to the building had not yet been cut by the Electricity Company of Ghana.

“Fire scenes must be left under the full control of trained professionals to ensure effective and safe firefighting operations as any interference is a serious risk to lives and property,” the GNFS said.

It stressed, “Such behaviour is not only unlawful but extremely dangerous, as it exposes individuals to electrocution, secondary explosions, and potential fatalities.”