W/R: Fire Service intensifies surveillance in markets

The Western Regional Fire Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has intensified its surveillance in major markets in the Western Region to avert rampant fire outbreaks within this period.

The move is to respond to the recent fire outbreak in parts of the country, among which is the Region.

Three persons sustained severe injuries following a fire outbreak at the Sekondi Fishing bay on Thursday, November 19.

Several fishing gears were burnt into ashes though the Sekondi Fire Command subsequently managed to bring the fire under control.

Speaking in an interview on Onua FM’s Yen Sempa on Friday, November 20, the Western Regional Fire Command Public Relations Officer, DO III Emmanuel Bonney, told host Nana Okyere Awurukuo that “in the major markets, we used to close them at 5:30pm every day, but we have reduced them to 5:00pm everyday”.

He explained that “on our routine daily and hourly checks, we used to visit these markets every three hours daily but we have reduced it to every hour”.

Covid-19 impact

DOIII Bonney noted that the coronavirus disease has had an impact on traders because they turn to forget about the fact that fire safety measures do exist.

“Because of the corona, people have forgotten the fire safety measures. Some people bought the goods and left it because of corona and so they are rushing to sell them and that is why they have forgotten”.

Mr. Bonney said “some people even leave their electrical gadgets on and leave for their various homes which could cause fire outbreaks”.

By Kweku Antwi-Otoo|editors.3news.com|Ghana