Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has served a notice to the Ghanaian populace, particularly estate developers, that “it is currently incapable of dealing with fires in high-rise buildings.”
The GNFS’s warning follows the recent fire that gutted Grenfell Tower in the United Kingdom (UK) where even with all their sophisticated fire equipment, over 20 lives were lost in the process.
Speaking to journalists at the weekend, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of GNFS, Divisional Officer, Prince Billy Anaglatey, revealed that his outfit’s equipment cannot fight fires beyond five floors of any building.
“This means any building beyond five floors cannot be saved should it be on fire,” he disclosed.
In view of this, he said it was frightening, considering the current increase in high-rise buildings in Ghana.
Mr. Anaglatey stressed that should fire engulf any high-rise building, the fire service may not be able to save the situation.
He explained that even though their counterparts in London had all the sophisticated gadgets used in controlling fire, they still had problems fighting the fire for days.
“Unfortunately, with the high-rise buildings that we have in Ghana now, some are as high as 20 floors and above, but the turntable ladder that the fire service has can take up to only the fifth floor, so what of the floors after the fifth floor?” he quizzed.
He was of the view that “it will be more difficult for the Ghana National Fire Service to fight such fire since we do not have all the necessary tools used in fighting fire.”
According to Mr. Anaglatey, there are several facilities that need to be installed in high- rise buildings to assist fire fighting and rescue in case of any emergency.
“…so if those high-rise buildings do not have the facilities that will assist the fire fighters to get to floors above the fifth floor, then I think we are in trouble. We are in trouble in the sense that when we are able to get to the fifth floor we can only manage with our skills and expertise to get to the floors above that. This approach is not enough considering that life and property will be at risk. That is why the fire service has and will always continue to call on owners of such buildings to make sure they meet all the set standards. As an institution, we would appreciate it if the owners of high-rise buildings will strictly adhere to our fire safety regulations.”
He stated that the fire service needs to be well-resourced to enable it protect life and property during emergencies.
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