We can’t fight fire above five floors – Billy Anaglatey
The Ghana National Fire Service says it lacks the the necessary equipment to fight fires which occur on the fifth floor of buildings and beyond.
According to the authority, their modern fire fighting equipment cannot fight fires beyond five floors of any building.
This means any building beyond five floors cannot be saved should it catch fire. This is frightening, considering the current increase in high-rise buildings in Ghana.
Following the recent fire outbreak at the Grenfell Tower in London, the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, Divisional Officer Prince Billy Anaglatey disclosed that should fire engulf any high rise building, the fire service may not be able to save the situation.
He spoke to citifm.
He explained that, even though their counterparts in London had all the sophisticated gadgets used in controlling fire, they still had problems fighting the fire for days.
“So you can agree with me that it will be more difficult for the Ghana National Fire Service to fight such fire since we do not have all the necessary tools used in fighting fire, he opined
According to Billy Anaglatey, there are several facilities that need to be installed in high rise buildings to assist fire fighting and rescue in case of any emergency. “
…So if those high rise buildings do not have the facilities that will assist the fire fighters to get to floors above the fifth floor, then I think we are in trouble. We are in trouble in the sense that, when we are able to get to the fifth floor we can only manage with our skills and expertise to get to the floors above that. This approach is not enough considering that life and property will be at risk.
That is why the fire service has and will always continue to call on owners of such buildings to make sure they meet all the set standards, he cautioned
The fire officer also stated that, the fire service needs to be well-resourced to enable it protect life and property during emergencies.
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