The Northern Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service is urging the public to refrain from making prank emergency calls, as these divert critical resources and put lives at risk.

In 2025, the region recorded a staggering 67,200 prank calls, with over 100 calls received in a single day.

But it's not just prank calls that are causing concern. The region also saw a slight increase in fire incidents, with 377 cases recorded in 2025, compared to 373 in 2024.

The estimated cost of damage to properties was GH ₵ 159,081,662, while items worth GH ₵ 150,629,102,789 were salvaged.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the Service, Assistant Divisional Officer Grade 1 Hudu Baba, the increase in fires is attributed to harsh harmattan weather and non-adherence to basic fire safety precautions, especially in domestic settings.

He gave the breakdown of fire incidents as follows: 148 domestic fires, 54 commercial fires, and 54 electrical fires.

Assistant Divisional Officer Grade 1 Baba added that bushfires accounted for 14 cases, while vehicular fires accounted for 17. He further stated that institutional fires totaled 17, industrial fires two and other types of fires 19.

The PRO said January and December recorded the highest number of fires, with 65 and 52 incidents, respectively.

He identified electrical faults, gas leakages, unattended cooking, unattended lit candles, mosquito coils, poorly executed hot works such as welding, children playing with fire, bush burning, and deliberate acts as causes of these fires.

The Fire Service PRO also stated that the Command is launching a sensitization campaign, “1 Fire Officer, 1 School”, to educate students and staff on fire safety and prevention.