Techiman: The Assistant Divisional Officer Grade One (ADO1) Victor Gyan, the Bono East Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), has called for installation of fire extinguishers, detectors, and alarms at markets and other places of gatherings. He said it was mandatory for those places, including institutions and private establishments, to install the fire extinguishers at their premises.

According to Ghana News Agency, in an interview in Techiman in the wake of fire outbreaks being reported in parts of the country, ADO1 Gyan stated that ‘installation of fire extinguishers at places of public gatherings and markets will help stem the spread of fires during outbreaks.’ He noted that many business establishments neglect precautionary measures and safety until an unforeseen incident occurs.

Discussing recent fire outbreaks at the Techiman Central Market, ADO1 Gyan expressed sympathy for the victims and urged them to cooperate with the command in assessing the extent of damage and identifying the causes of the outbreak. He advised against hastily rebuilding businesses at the markets without understanding the cause of the fire.

ADO1 Gyan emphasized the importance of studying fire trends and implementing preventive measures to avoid future incidents, adding that understanding the extent of destruction could aid in compensating the victims. He also raised concerns about improper layouts at the central market, which hindered timely access for firefighters.

He proposed establishing a fire post and installing fire detectors and alarms at the central market to improve response times and safety.