The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has advised the public to prioritize calling emergency services immediately when a fire outbreak occurs, rather than attempting to control the flames themselves.
Divisional Officer II (DOII) Ebenezer Yenzu, the Public Relations Officer for GNFS in the Tema Region, emphasized that delays in contacting firefighters often worsen the situation, making it harder to contain fires.
“Many people panic and try to put out the fire themselves before calling us, but by the time they realize it’s beyond their control, the fire has already spread,” he explained.
He urged the public to dial emergency numbers at the first sign of a fire, noting that while the GNFS has an average response time of nine minutes, delays in reporting fires could lead to severe damage and loss of life.
DOII Yenzu also stressed the importance of fire prevention measures, including installing smoke detectors and fire alarms in homes and public spaces. He advised that in case of fire, people should close windows and doors to limit oxygen supply, evacuate immediately, and never re-enter a burning building.
Additionally, he encouraged individuals trained in fire safety to use extinguishers for small fires but cautioned against taking unnecessary risks.
“The priority should always be safety. Property can be replaced, but lives cannot,” he emphasized.
