The Northern Region experienced a surge in fire incidents in 2024, with 373 cases recorded, up from 312 in 2023. According to a report by the Ghana Fire Service, the fires resulted in property damages estimated at GH₵68,217,224, averaging one fire per day.
The breakdown of fire incidents includes:
- Domestic fires: 189
- Electrical fires: 49
- Commercial fires: 44
- Vehicular fires: 29
- Bush fires: 21
- Institutional fires: 17
- Industrial fires: 3
- Others: 21
The report also noted a new trend of fires affecting uncompleted structures, with 19 cases recorded.
While fire incidents led to one fatality and 20 injuries, road traffic accidents accounted for 29 incidents, with four deaths—a rise from 23 incidents and four deaths in 2023.
The first 20 days of 2025 have already seen 40 fires, including major incidents at GSL African LTD and the Tamale timber market.
Causes of Fires:
- Electrical faults due to overloaded circuits, inferior cables, and poor installations.
- Gas leakages, unattended cooking, lit candles, mosquito coils, and welding accidents.
- Bush burning and deliberate acts.
The Northern Regional Command has urged residents to adopt fire safety practices to curb the alarming rate of incidents.
Â
