The Ashanti region recorded 495 fire outbreaks in the first half of the year and properties estimated at over 28 billion cedis (2.8 million Ghana cedis) were destroyed as against 279 fires the same period last year.The Ashanti Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Mr Franklin Masiku, told the GNA the sharp increase was as a results of the severe dry weather conditions experienced between January and March.He said Kumasi Central Market fire that occurred in March was the single largest outbreak that destroyed property worth 12.4 billion cedis.Source: GNA