Fire Outbreaks: Remembering Victims Of Atomic Junction Gas Explosion

NEWS COMMENTARY ON THE ATOMIC JUNCTION GAS EXPLOSION, ONE YEAR DOWN MEMORY LANE, LESSONS LEARNT AND THE WAY FORWARD.

It is exactly one year this month when the very horrific fire occurred at the Atomic Junction on the 7th of October, 2017 killing about seven persons and injuring over 130 people. Before the Atomic Junction incident we had the Trade Fair fire in Accra, the Tema medical stores among others. Apart from fuel stations disasters, many domestic dwellings and workplace fires were also recorded. On the 7th of this month which marks the exact one year anniversary of the Atomic junction incident, another disaster has befallen us. A whole Ashanti Regional Education Directorate in Kumasi was on fire. The severe outbreak reportedly burnt to ashes valuable documents, office gadgets, furniture and stationery. With the frequent outbreaks, one wonders what is wrong as far as fire safety education and awareness are concerned. It is important for the Ghana National Fire Service to be resourced to do more than it is doing presently to help reduce fire outbreaks. What has been the performance of the National Disaster Management Organisation, NADMO? Is it appropriate for these organizations to wait until disaster strike before they come in to rescue and subsequently provide relief items to the traumatized victims?

There is the need for the disaster institutions to be responsive and proactive in the performance of their duties to ensure that fire outbreaks are curtailed. The Fire Service and NADMO must engage in serious disaster prevention education and ensure compliance to rules and regulations governing the construction of buildings and structures across the country. The National Petroleum Authority, NPA must implement stringent measures to help reduce fires at fuel stations. Fuel station attendants, fuel tanker drivers and their mates must be trained regularly on safety related practices to enable them to prevent spillage, leakages and possible fires at fuel stations. It is good to hear that the Ghana National Fire Service is now committed to providing routine services to fuel stations during off-loading periods. The Fire Service must constantly encourage the populace to acquire fire extinguishers and train people on how to effectively use them. Metropolitan, Municipal and the District authorities must work with the Fire Service to start prosecuting owners of houses and offices which do not have fire extinguishers. While we remember those who lost their lives in the fires, let’s all resolve to do our best to help prevent fires in our homes, offices and public places. The needless death and destruction of property must stop. Help stop the fire outbreaks now.

BY: PHILIP NANA ASANTE-HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT EXPERT.