The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has refuted claims that its officers used sachet water to extinguish a fire outbreak that gutted parts of the Dansoman Branch of ADB in Accra on Monday, October 9.
This comes in response to a video on social media that has gone viral and suggests the use of sachet water to douse the flames.
In a statement, the Fire Service noted that the video has been “misconstrued and falsely interpreted”.
According to the Service, this false story has been bought by many despite the presence of two fire tenders (pumps) with enough water at the fire scene.
“We categorically state that this claim is untrue, false, and malicious in nature, just to tarnish the hard-worn reputation of the Service,” the statement added.
The Service explained that its firefighters from the Dansoman and Circle Fire Stations were promptly dispatched at 2:26 p.m. to confine the blaze in the power switch room at the affected bank.
The firefighters succeeded in preventing the fire from spreading into the main banking hall without recording any casualties.
The crew, after battling and subduing the fierce fire, was given a bag of sachet water by the staff of ADB to quench their thirst, the Service noted.
“The firefighters only drank the sachet water after the intense firefighting and did not use the sachet water to extinguish the said fire as was portrayed by the false and malicious commentary in the video.
“We would like to add that one cannot use sachets of water or buckets of water to douse such fierce fire, neither did we at any point in time during the course of the firefighting ran out of water supply,” the statement added.
According to the Ghana National Fire Service, its dedicated firefighters utilized their professional skills and equipment to combat the said fire effectively without compromising on international standards and protocols of fire management.
Consequently, the Service has entreated the public to desist from circulating such misreport age “as they not only undermine the credibility of our organization but also jeopardize the public’s confidence in our ability to fulfill our primary mandate of saving lives and protecting properties.”
The Service stressed that it will hesitate to take legal action against those who engage in such activities, as they harm not only its reputation but also demoralize the firefighters who risk their lives to keep the citizens safe.
“The Service is therefore collaborating with the National Cyber Security Authority to identify and arrest such culprits to face the law for false publication.
“The Ghana National Fire Service remains dedicated to its mission and continues to be committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens. We appreciate the continued support of the public and trust that together, we can work towards a safer and more secure Ghana,” the statement concluded.
