The Northern Region last year recorded a total of 373 fires, with an estimated cost of damage to properties at GH₵68,217,224, an increase over the 2023 record of 312 fires.
A report released by the Northern Regional Command of the Ghana Fire Service and signed by Public Relations Officer Baba Hudu said an average of one fire was recorded each day in 2024.
The report stated that 137 out-on-arrival cases were recorded in 2024, compared to 133 for the same period in 2023.
It mentioned that domestic fires recorded the highest number, with 189, followed by electrical fires – 49, commercial fires – 44, and vehicular fires – 29.
The report also added that bush fires accounted for 21, institutional fires – 17, industrial fires – 3, and other fires – 21.
The Command said no life was lost through flooding, depths, or heights rescues, except for fire-related incidents, which recorded one death.
It also reported that 20 injuries were recorded, and four lives were lost in 29 road traffic incidents in 2024, an increase over 2023, which recorded four deaths through 23 incidents.
The report mentioned a new trend of fire outbreaks in 2024, particularly those affecting uncompleted structures, which accounted for 19 fires.
The Command expressed concern that, in just 20 days of the new year, the Region had already recorded 40 fire outbreaks, including two major fires on January 6, 2025, involving the warehouse of GSL African Ltd. and the Tamale timber market.
It cited electrical faults, stemming from circuit overloads, arcing, short circuits, inferior cables, compromised or poorly done electrical installations, over-aged wires, and earthing problems, as some of the causes of the numerous fires in the region.
It also added that gas leakages, unattended cooking, unattended lit candles, mosquito coils, matches, poorly executed hot work from welding, bush burning, and deliberate acts contributed to several fires.
The Northern Regional Command urged the general public to make a conscious effort to avoid behaviors that could lead to fires.
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