Forty-four fire outbreaks were recorded across the country on Christmas Day (25 December), the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has revealed.

Tema Region recorded the highest of 11 fires, followed by the Ashanti Region with six fires and the Accra Region with five fires.

A statement issued by the GNFS advised the public to be cautious during the festivities following the onset of harmattan.

“The management of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has observed a sudden rise in fire cases and is cautioning the general public to be very cautious during the festivities till the end of the dry (harmattan)season by abiding by basic fire safety practices in order to reduce the incidents of fire outbreaks.”

“The Service recorded a total of 44 fires nationwide on Christmas Day. Out of the total fires recorded, 19 were domestic, nine commercial, eight bushfires, five vehicular, two electrical installations fires and one crown fire involving a coconut tree. The out-on-arrival fire cases recorded were nine,” the GNFS statement said.

Below is the full statement: