The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in the Western Region recorded 394 reported fire cases as of November last year as against 232 in the same period in 2011.
The figure showed an increase of 162 cases with 15 reported deaths and 55 injuries.
The Western Regional Commander of the GNFS, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO), Obeng Dankwa Dwamena told the GNA at Fijai on Wednesday that the estimated cost of damage to property was GHc4,881,281.
He said domestic fires topped the list with 141 cases, 40 bush-fires, 45 vehicular fires and 27 industrial fire cases respectively.
Mr. Dwamena charged the citizenry to take fire safety precautionary measures, especially in this Harmattan period to avert damage to property and loss of lives.
He warned hunters, cigarette smokers, traders, farmers and domestic fire users to desist from leaving naked fires after use, adding such negligence could cause havoc to society.
The Regional Chief Fire Officer indicated that the GNFS would this year intensify fire safety education at the basic schools, fuel stations, offices and market centres to increase awareness of fire safety and entreated individuals to report fire incidents promptly to avoid spreading farther.
Mr. Dwamena commended the government for strengthening the capacity of the Service by providing additional fire tenders, saying "We have about 17 fire stations across the region and 10 fire tenders at the moment and expecting more this year".
He said the government had provided other facilities and equipment such as Briefing Apparatus Mobile Unit, Service and Recovery track, Apparatus BA set among others, which had improved the fire-fighting skills of the personnel.
He noted that one challenge confronting the Service was unwillingness by some motorists to give way to them when attending to emergencies as well as to other emergency vehicles such as the ambulance Service and the Police patrol vehicles and added that such obstructions were offences liable for prosecution.
Mr. Dwamena also cautioned the public to desist from giving false alarm to the Service since such act contravened the Fire Precautionary Regulation, LI 1724(2003), and offenders would attract penalty such as fines or imprisonment.
He admonished individuals, businesses, schools and offices to acquire fire certification for their premises as well as expert advice on appropriate fire extinguishers to fight minor fire outbreaks.