Ghana Records 33% Rise in Fire Deaths Amid Alarming Spike in Injuries

A disturbing rise in fire deaths in Ghana is sounding alarms across the nation, as new data from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) shows a 33% increase in fatalities during the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. This sharp escalation in fire-related tragedies is renewing calls for stricter safety practices and heightened public awareness.

Between January and June 2025, 16 lives were lost to fire outbreaks, up from 12 deaths recorded during the same period in 2024. While the jump in fatalities is alarming, the surge in fire-related injuries is even more staggering. GNFS data shows 110 injuries occurred in the first half of 2025, a dramatic leap from just 30 injuries in the first half of 2024, a spike of over 266%.

The trend reveals not only a higher frequency of fire incidents but also their increasing severity and human cost. Burn units in major hospitals across the country are under strain, with many operating beyond capacity after major fire outbreaks. Survivors of such incidents often endure life-altering injuries, including severe burns and long-term trauma, placing additional pressure on Ghana’s already stretched healthcare system.

Fire outbreaks in Ghana are typically caused by a mix of preventable factors, including faulty electrical wiring, gas cylinder explosions, carelessness with flammable materials, and seasonal bushfires. Urban areas like Accra and Kumasi are particularly vulnerable due to congested settlements, informal housing structures, and poor fire response infrastructure.

Fires in market centers have, in past years, led to losses running into millions of cedis and disrupted the livelihoods of countless traders, even when exact casualty figures were not always documented in national totals.

The GNFS, which operates under the Ghana National Fire Service Act, 1997 (Act 537), continues to respond with public safety campaigns, encouraging citizens to conduct regular electrical checks, avoid substandard wiring, store flammable materials responsibly, and ensure that homes and businesses are equipped with fire extinguishers. These efforts aim to slow the rising tide of fire incidents and reduce their devastating toll on lives and property.

The agency is expected to undertake a deeper analysis of the recent surge, including identifying geographic hotspots and recurring causes. For now, the newly released figures serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for both institutional action and community-level vigilance in preventing fire disasters.