Fires rise slightly, prank calls drop 35% – GNFS report

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has reported a slight increase in fire incidents nationwide during the first half of 2025, even as public safety campaigns led to a sharp drop in prank calls and a reduction in property damage.

According to official data, 3,595 fire outbreaks were recorded across the country from January to June 2025, compared to 3,576 during the same period in 2024. This represents a modest 0.53 percent rise, just 19 additional cases.

Despite the uptick in incidents, firefighting efforts resulted in the salvage of properties valued at over GHS203 million, signaling ongoing improvements in emergency response and fire containment.

One of the most notable areas of progress highlighted in the report was the significant decline in prank calls made to the Fire Service. The GNFS received 237,470 prank calls in the first six months of 2025, a remarkable 34.77 percent drop from the 364,020 recorded during the same period last year.

The Service credited the decline to intensified public education campaigns and stricter enforcement of penalties for misusing emergency lines.

“Reducing prank calls means our emergency responders are better able to serve citizens in real emergencies,” the GNFS stated in its mid-year review.

The report noted that the leading causes of fire outbreaks remain largely unchanged, including:

Electrical faults from illegal connections and overloaded circuits

Misuse of electrical appliances

Unattended cooking with gas and electric stoves

Improper use of open flames such as candles and mosquito coils

Gas leaks and poor handling of LPG cylinders

Bushfires, particularly during the dry season

Vehicle fires due to poor maintenance

Unsafe welding practices

Arson

The Greater Accra Region recorded the highest number of fire incidents, with 628 cases, followed by the Ashanti Region with 581, and the Central Region with 408. On the lower end, the North East Region reported just 10 cases, the fewest nationwide.

GNFS attributed the slight rise in overall fire cases in part to harsh harmattan conditions earlier in the year and ongoing non-compliance with fire safety protocols by portions of the public.

The Service reiterated its call for increased public vigilance and stricter adherence to fire safety regulations, especially ahead of the next dry season.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, urging communities to actively support local fire prevention initiatives.