A total of 16 people lost their lives and 110 others sustained varying degrees of injury from 3,595 fire outbreaks recorded across Ghana in the first six months of 2025, according to figures released by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
The figures represent a grim surge in casualties when compared to the same period last year, during which 12 deaths and 30 injuries were reported from 3,576 fire incidents.
The 2025 toll marks a 33% increase in fatalities and a staggering 266% spike in injuries.
The data was disclosed by Divisional Officer Two (DO II) Desmond E. Ackah, Head of Public Relations of the GNFS, during a media briefing on the Service’s mid-year fire statistics.
2,537 fires doused by GNFS
DO II Ackah revealed that between January and June this year, GNFS personnel directly extinguished 2,537 fires.
However, in 1,057 of the cases, the fires had already been put out by victims, bystanders, or the environment before firefighters arrived on the scene.
This response pattern shows a slight increase from 2024’s corresponding statistics, when 2,493 fires were handled by the Service and 1,083 had already been doused by the time fire officers got to the affected locations.
Though the total number of recorded fire outbreaks only rose marginally — from 3,576 in 2024 to 3,595 in 2025 — the impact on human life and safety has been much more severe.
Leading causes of fires
Explaining the underlying causes of the recurring fires, DO II Ackah pointed to long-standing but largely preventable hazards. He stressed that illegal electrical connections and short circuits continue to top the list of causes behind Ghana’s persistent fire outbreaks.
“These incidents are further worsened by the overloading of electrical systems, poor wiring standards, and the proliferation of substandard or damaged appliances in homes and workplaces,” he said.
DO II Ackah noted that many domestic fires could be traced to improper usage of electrical devices, such as plugging multiple high-power appliances into single sockets, leaving gadgets on for extended periods without supervision, and using worn-out extension cords.
He cautioned that in most homes, kitchens remain a high-risk zone, with unattended cooking involving gas cylinders and electric stoves frequently leading to disaster.
The careless use of open flames — including candles and mosquito coils — continues to spark avoidable fires, especially in densely populated residential areas.
Gas leaks, vehicle crashes, arson
The GNFS also identified several other sources of fire incidents, ranging from gas leakages and poor handling of LPG cylinders to bushfires, vehicle fires resulting from road crashes, and industrial sparks from welding or metalwork.
Some fire outbreaks were also classified as arson, with investigations currently ongoing to establish motive and culpability in those cases.
Harmattan weather, negligence worsened situation
While acknowledging the slight year-on-year rise in the number of fires, DO II Ackah said that certain environmental and behavioural factors significantly contributed to the overall damage and human toll.
He pointed to the dry, dusty conditions caused by the harmattan season in the early part of the year, which created a tinderbox environment where even minor sparks could trigger major fires.
“The harmattan intensified fire risk, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities, where dry vegetation and wooden structures provide easy fuel for flames,” he noted.
More troubling, however, was the general lack of adherence to basic fire safety measures by the public.
“Many individuals and businesses continue to ignore basic precautions — such as switching off electrical appliances when leaving home, ensuring regular maintenance of gas installations, or keeping fire extinguishers on premises,” he lamented.
GNFS appeals for vigilance and public education
The GNFS says it is ramping up its public education campaigns and collaboration with local authorities to combat the rising fire toll.
DO II Ackah emphasized that collective effort is required to reverse the trend, especially as the second half of the year often sees a spike in domestic and commercial activity — and with it, a higher risk of fire outbreaks.
He urged Ghanaians to take personal responsibility for fire safety and to report any faulty electrical systems, gas leaks, or suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities without delay.
“The cost of neglecting fire safety is human life,” he warned. “And that is too high a price for anyone to pay.”
GNFS pledged to ramp up its commitment to public safety with an ambitious new campaign that will reach residential neighbourhoods, farms, lorry stations, market centres and other gathering places through both traditional and social media channels.
In tandem with these awareness efforts, fire safety audits and inspections of public buildings and private commercial premises will be stepped up to identify hazards early and recommend practical measures to reduce risk.
Recognizing that many fires begin in rural areas, the GNFS will train and support additional community fire volunteers, equipping them with climate‑resilient strategies such as creating green belts around farmlands and plantations, conducting controlled burns at safe intervals, and promoting alternative livelihoods—snail and grass‑cutter rearing, mushroom cultivation, and beekeeping—to relieve pressure on forests and natural vegetation.
Road‑side emergencies and crashes also pose serious challenges to timely fire response.
To address this, the GNFS will partner with the National Road Safety Authority and other agencies on intensified road‑safety education, urging motorists to respect emergency‑vehicle sirens and to cooperate at incident scenes, thereby reducing collisions and ensuring firefighters can arrive quickly and safely.
Management stresses that preventing fires begins with simple precautions.
Citizens are asked to follow the Service’s core fire‑safety protocols at home and in the workplace, not only to protect lives and property but also to safeguard Ghana’s environment.
In the event of any fire or related emergency, the public should refrain from prank calls—which waste precious resources—and instead dial the national emergency number, 112, or one of the GNFS hotlines (030 277 2446, 029 934 0383 or 030 277 9637) for a rapid and professional response.
Through these combined efforts—education, community engagement, interagency collaboration and improved emergency communications—the GNFS remains unwavering in its mission to advance fire‑safety knowledge and sharpen its response capabilities in order to protect lives, preserve property and defend Ghana’s natural heritage.
DO II Ackah said the Service continues to face difficulties with delayed emergency calls, traffic congestion, and accessibility issues, all of which affect timely response to fires.
