The Director of Public Relations at the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), ACFO 1 Timothy Osafo-Affum, says there is heightened risk of fire outbreaks in slum areas, emphasizing the severe damage these communities face due to their densely packed structures.
Speaking after a fire incident yesterday at a slum at the railway behind the VIP bus terminal at the Nkrumah interchange area, the Director detailed the challenges faced by firefighters in such environments.
“Anytime there is a fire outbreak in the slums, the damage is massive because the structures are very close to each other, making it easy for the fire to spread, leading to significant property loss,” he explained.
In an interview with RGGNEWS he said that the GNFS responded promptly to the Circle fire, dispatching the first fire tender from the Circle location. Upon arrival, the team requested additional support, and four more firefighters joined the effort.
Despite their swift response, the fire had already consumed a substantial portion of the area.
He further noted that, accessibility and water supply were major challenges in the slum area, however they managed to stop the fire from spreading further.
Timothy Osafo-Affum urged the need for better urban planning in slum areas to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.
Additionally he said educating people in these communities about fire safety measures is crucial which an ongoing initiative by the fire service.
He also called on city authorities to ensure proper demarcation of structures within these communities to enhance safety and accessibility.
The Director of PR noted that, Investigations are currently underway to determine the exact cause of Wednesday’s fire.
