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Properties lost to fire outbreaks in the Ashanti Region in the first half of 2015 is estimated at GH�6,071,344 in 624 recorded cases. Two people also lost their lives in the fires. Divisional Fire Officer Paa Kwasi Adutwun disclosed this to The Finder at his office in Kumasi. He explained that the 624 fire outbreaks in the first six months of this year represent an increase of 26% compared to 462 in the same period of 2014. He stated that a trend analysis indicates an average of 3.4 fires daily while 104 were recorded monthly. According to him, the swift response of personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in the region to fire outbreaks has saved many lives and properties. Official records indicates that domestic fires topped the list of fire outbreaks with 236 cases compared to 200 of the same period in 2014, followed by bushfires, which recorded 108 cases as against 43 in 2014. Commercial fires were 79 as against 82 in 2014; vehicle fire recorded 74 against 72 in 2014 whilst electrical installations (ECG transformers, low and high tension poles) recorded 33 fire outbreaks as compared to 20 in 2014. The region recorded 28 industrial fires as against seven in 2014. The lowest recorded cases are institutions, which recorded 20 cases, compared to 28 for the same period in 2014. Despite the increase in the number of domestic cases recorded in the first half of 2015, as compared to the same period in 2014, there is a reduction of 5.6% in the rate of occurrences of domestic fires in the region. Facts gathered by the regional office revealed that many of the fire outbreaks occurred as a result of human errors, as well as the public's sheer refusal to adhere to the basic fire precautionary measures spelt out by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS). Investigations conducted by personnel of GNFS in the region indicate that the rise in the number of fire outbreaks could be attributed to electrical faults stemming from misuse of electricity and electrical appliances, negligence and careless handling of naked fire and gas cookers, and non-adherence to safety measures at homes, factories, markets and offices. Fire-prone areas identified in the Ashanti Region are South Suntreso, Afrancho, Boukrom, Kotei Deduako, Kwadaso Estates, Buokrom, Bremang UGC and its environs, Bantama, Dichemso and Oforikrom. Bushfire-prone areas identified in the region include Effiduase and Tepa communities. The regional command advised the public to be careful when handling electronic appliances, naked lights, gas cookers and other flammable products. Motorists are advised to always carry genuine portable fire extinguishers to protect lives and properties in cases of fire outbreaks, and also adhere to basic fire precautionary measures to prevent fire outbreaks. "It behoves on all of us to put our shoulders to the wheel to prevent fires and related incidences in the region as fire safety is a shared responsibility," Paa Kwasi stated.