He said for the first and second quarter of this year a total of 256 vehicular fires were recorded countrywide.

Dr Gaisie disclosed during a press conference in Accra yesterday that most of such fires could have easily been avoided if precautionary measures had been adhered to.

He said the fires were caused by failure to keep fire extinguishers on vehicles, use of improvised fuel tanks, broken fuel pipes, and spillage of fuel on exhaust system among others.

Dr Gaisie said as part of efforts to address the situation the GNFS would soon embark on a fire safety programme for qualified electricians and members of the road transport unions and urged vehicle owners to always go for qualified electricians for maintenance of their vehicles.

He said fire involving wooden structures could also be reduced, if residents in such structures abide by fire safety regulations by putting candles in enamel bowl with water.

Dr Gaisie called on fuel operators to contact the Service for fire cover anytime they are discharging their liquified products.

Touching on the report on the cause of fire at the Central Medical Stores he said the classified report have been submitted to the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Health two years ago awaiting action urged the media to apply to the e Ghana Health Service who have the prerogative to disclose the cause of the fire.

“The report is classified and we cannot give out such details unless you contact the owners,” he stressed.

By Anita Nyarko-Yirenkyi