The Divisional Officer Grade III (DO III) Anthony Dormah, the Kadjebi District Fire Commander, has urged the public to handle naked fire with extreme care as the harmattan season sets in, warning that the dry and windy conditions increase the risk of fire outbreaks.
He said indiscriminate burning of refuse, bush burning, unattended cooking fires, careless use of candles, and faulty electrical connections were major causes of recent fires recorded in parts of the district.
DO III Dormah made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency ( GNA) at Kadjebi on Thursday, December 18, 2025, on the sidelines of recent fire incidents in the Kadjebi District.
He said the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) had intensified public education in communities, schools, markets and churches to sensitise residents on basic fire safety measures and early reporting of fire outbreaks.
He told the GNA that plans were underway to station fire personnel at identified fire-prone communities in the district to undertake 24-hour duties during the peak of the harmattan period to ensure rapid response to emergencies.
DO III Dormah also disclosed that the Service would embark on the formation and revival of Community Fire Volunteer groups in various communities to support fire prevention efforts and assist in first response before the arrival of fire tenders.
“The community volunteers will be trained to identify fire hazards, educate residents, and help control minor fires while awaiting our teams,” he said.
He told the GNA that the Service would also embark on inspections of fire safety equipment at hotels, guest houses, restaurants, supermarkets, vehicles, public transport areas, and entertainment centres, among others, to ensure fire safety and compliance.
He appealed to traditional authorities, opinion leaders and assembly members to support the initiative and help enforce by-laws against bush burning and unsafe fire practices.
DO III Dormah further advised residents to service their electrical appliances, switch off electrical gadgets when not in use, store fuel safely, and keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
He urged the public to promptly report fire outbreaks to the Fire Service to minimise loss of lives and property, stressing that fire prevention remained a shared responsibility.
