Angry Mob Attack Fire Tender

Date published: February 18, 2014
 
 
Some angry mob attacked a fire tender belonging to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) at Agona-Nkwanta in the Ahanta West of the Western Region, for arriving late at a fire scene.

The mob pelted stones and other missiles at the fire tender, which was dispatched  from Sekondi to put out a fire outbreak at the Agona-Nkwanta market around 2230 hours on Sunday, February 16, 2014.

The Ghana News Agency gathered that the only district fire tender had developed a fault and had been out of use for almost two years now.

The Western Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Mr. Obeng Dankwa Dwamena confirmed the incident to the GNA on Monday.

He said it was disheartening that the public does not appreciate the efforts of the GNFS and that people continue to attack them in the discharge of their duties.

‘The fire tender is dispatched quickly whenever we receive report of fire outbreak, and yet people always blame us for delaying ‘, he said.

He said more often some people try to put out the fire by themselves and when it gets out of hand they then call the GNFS emergency lines. He asked the public to desist from that practice and report fire incidents promptly to save lives and property.

Mr. Dwamena said people who attacked the GNFS personnel and fire tenders should be arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others, adding that it was unacceptable for people to take the law into their own hands to destroy state property.

He said fire tenders were very expensive and that scarce state resources were used to purchase them and should be properly maintained to prolong their lifespan.

Mr. Dwamena indicated that GNFS was preparing the cost estimate of the damaged windscreen and would forward the bill to the Ahanta West District Assembly for payment.

Meanwhile, the District Chief Executive for the area, Mr. Joseph Dofoyenah said the Assembly would pay for the cost of the damage. He also condemned the violent acts of the mob and reiterated the need for such hoodlums to be arrested and prosecuted in the future.

Mr. Dofoyenah said three stores were raised down during the fire outbreak but no casualty was recorded.

He also confirmed that there was one fire tender stationed in the district, however the engine had developed a fault and that effort was underway to purchase a new one. No one was arrested in the incident.   GNA

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