Fire outbreaks on the increase in Effutu and Awutu-Senya

Fire outbreaks in Effutu Municipality and Awutu-Senya District increased from 21 in 2007 to 34 in 2008, destroying properties worth several Ghana cedis but there were no casualties.

Mr Bartholomew Nketiah, Divisional Fire Officer in-charge speaking to Ghana News Agency in Winneba said six bushfires, 10 domestic fires, a vehicular fire, two electrical and two household cylinder gas fire outbreaks were recorded in 2007.

In 2008, 16 bushfires, 10 domestic fires, three vehicular, three electrical and two gas cylinder fire outbreaks were recorded.

He appealed to the people to endeavour to reverse the situation since fire outbreaks affected the country's development.

Mr Nketiah said farmers and hunters were the major culprits in causes of bush fires, while carelessness and overloading of electrical gadgets caused domestic fires in the area.

He advised farmers to create fire belts around their farms before burning

and urged drivers to conduct regular checks on their vehicles to prevent vehicular fires and use fire extinguishers during fire outbreaks.

GNA