A member of the Public Relations (PR) Department of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Alex King Nartey, has predicted a surge in fire outbreaks along the Accra–Suhum stretch in the Eastern Region.
His conviction follows an early Tuesday morning viral video in which residents along the stretch were seen siphoning fuel from a tanker involved in an accident at Nsawam-Panpaso. In the video, the residents defied orders from officers of the GNFS and carried out the act.
In an official Facebook post, Mr. Nartey observed that the mode of storage adopted by these individuals could increase the risk of fire outbreaks in their various homes.
“I won’t be surprised to hear a surge in fire outbreaks on this Accra Suhum stretch due to the siphoning of fuel from the fallen tanker by the residents. This is because almost all of these people do not have a car and will be storing the siphoned fuel in their rooms, thereby increasing the risk of fires,” he wrote.
The fuel tanker involved in the accident overturned on the Accra–Suhum highway at Panpaso, a suburb of Nsawam.
He further expressed disappointment in the residents and criticised them, noting that despite the presence of fire officers to salvage the situation, the people were adamant and nonchalant as they scooped the fuel.
“Let common sense prevail,” he added, bemoaning that he was most hurt to have witnessed a schoolgirl actively involved in what he described as “nonsense” and questioning the kind of adult she would grow up to become.
