Cobwebs are leading cause of fire outbreak in Ghanaian homes – Ghana Fire Service

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has identified cobwebs as a major contributor to fire outbreaks in domestic homes across Ghana.

A GNFS official, speaking in an interview, explained that while outdated electrical wiring is a significant cause of fire outbreaks in Ghanaian markets, the primary culprit in residential areas is cobwebs, which accelerate the spread of fires.

Normally, according to ISO standards, within 20 to 25 years, you have to change your wiring system completely. Now, the wires at the markets look like they’ve been there since Kwame Nkrumah’s time. We haven’t changed them, and it could become a serious problem. But the main issue here is the cobwebs in homes—they propel the fire to spread rapidly during an outbreak. This is the same issue that affects people’s houses and makes fires escalate faster.

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The official elaborated on how cobwebs act as a conduit for fires, particularly in kitchens, where they pose an even higher risk due to their proximity to open flames and cooking appliances.

He urged the public to prioritise regular cleaning to remove cobwebs and reduce the risk of domestic fires.

Cobwebs are a leading cause of domestic fires. At a certain point, they start to look like warts, and when they catch fire, you won’t immediately realise they are the cause. Homes with fewer cobwebs tend to suffer less fire damage. Cobwebs in the kitchen are especially dangerous because they are highly exposed to fire. Once they ignite, they can trigger an outbreak and rapidly spread the flames. So we are urging everyone to clear cobwebs from their homes to minimise the risk of fire outbreaks.

“Cobwebs are a leading cause of domestic fires that happen in Ghanaian homes”- Ghana National Fire Service. pic.twitter.com/Vt2mosKDAR

— SIKAOFFICIAL???? (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) March 1, 2025

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