Circumstances surrounding residential fire fatalities and injuries in Ghana

Residential fires present a major challenge in Africa, yet the region remains underrepresented in global fire safety literature due to insufficient data. In Ghana, the majority of fire-related fatalities and injuries occur in residential settings; however, existing data has not been systematically analysed to examine the circumstances surrounding these fatalities and injuries. This gap impedes the development of targeted fire safety interventions and evidence-based policy recommendations. To address this challenge, a review of official Ghana National Fire Service residential fire investigation reports from 2015 to 2023 was undertaken. Results indicate that children aged under 17 are overrepresented in fatalities compared to their proportion in Ghana's population, suggesting an increased risk for this age group. The reported causes included electrical faults, unsafe cooking practices, candles, mosquito coils, fire play, and smoking. Key contextual factors contributing to the fire risks include overreliance on naked fires, absence of smoke alarms, widespread use of burglar-proof metal bars on doors and windows, unsafe electrical use, and poor maintenance of liquefied petroleum gas cylinders. The study provides empirical evidence on residential fire risks in Ghana and across the wider African region, and establishes a foundation for the design of targeted fire safety interventions and policy recommendations.