One House, One Extinguisher: How A Cameroonian Company Is Shifting The Fire Safety Culture

For many Cameroonians, a fire extinguisher is little more than a bureaucratic box to check. It is an item bought begrudgingly to avoid a fine from the City Council at the market, a penalty from the police on the highway, or a reprimand from a corporate HSE auditor. But at the ongoing Promote international trade fair at the Yaoundé Conference Centre from June 12-21, 2026, one local company is trying to radically change how the public views these red metal cylinders.

For Fear Of Sanctions 
"We have noticed that many Cameroonians nowadays buy a fire extinguisher just for tax compliance. Because they are afraid of penalties," says Simon Sitat, Sales Manager at Wanesi Gas. "But how can we actually ensure that the home is left safe from fire? What thought is given to our children who stay at home?"
Wanesi Gas, a 100% Cameroonian enterprise operating across Douala, Yaoundé, and Bafoussam, has deployed its team to Promote 2026 not to hunt for lucrative corporate contracts, but to speak directly to everyday citizens. Their mission for the exhibition is centered on a simple, urgent rallying cry: "One house, one extinguisher."

Personal Wake-Up Call
For Sitat, the crusade for domestic fire safety is deeply personal. He recalls a rainy afternoon at 2:00 PM when a sudden crack of thunder sent a massive electrical surge through his home, causing the electric meter to burst into flames.
As panic swept through the house, sending neighbors fleeing out into the downpour, Sitat’s children did something unexpected. Trained by their father, they didn't just run; they grabbed the household fire extinguisher, rushed to wake him, and shouted, "Dad, fire!" "I ran downstairs and I put out the electrical fire," Sitat shares. "Can you imagine if I didn't have an extinguisher? Electrical fires, you do not put them out with water. You would risk electrocuting yourself."
It is this exact level of preparedness that Wanesi Gas wants to bring to every Cameroonian household. The kitchen, Sitat reminds fairgoers, is a prime risk zone. "Every time we buy cooking gas, we must realize that we have brought fire into the house. Every time electricity is running, we are living around fire."

"Bad Apples" Versus Certification
The domestic market has long been plagued by counterfeit or low-quality safety equipment - what Sitat calls "bad apples" which enter the market and put lives and property at risk. To counter this, Wanesi Gas imports equipment certified by the European Union (sourced from partners in Turkey and China) and backs them with a staggering 10-year warranty. Alongside routine inspections every six months.
The company is also transitioning into a licensed dealer, rebranding the safety gear under their own "Wanesi Gas" label to ensure strict quality control. Their inventory spans everything from 1 kg vehicular cylinders to massive 50 kg units, encompassing CO2, powder, foam, and distilled water systems.

Incentivizing Safety
To break down the financial barriers to home safety, Wanesi Gas has slashed prices for the duration of the trade fair. A standard 1 kg ABC powder extinguisher - nearly universal for basic fires - has been discounted from 13,000 FCFA to 10,000 FCFA.
"Ten thousand Francs is not worth your rent. It's not worth your electronic appliances. It's not worth your children," Sitat argues, noting that a 10,000 Franc investment can safeguard property worth 30 to 50 million FCFA.
For larger homes, the company recommends a minimum of a 4.5 kg cylinder, priced at a promotional rate of 29,900 FCFA. To sweeten the deal and enhance home defense, anyone purchasing an extinguisher of 2 kg (promoted at 15,500 FCFA) or larger, receives a free fire extinguishing ball worth 15,000 FCFA.
"It is an automatic extinguisher," Sitat explains. "If a fire breaks out and you are scared, you throw this ball. Within 10 seconds, it explodes, disperses its powder, and puts out the fire."

Training "Little Firefighters"
Wanesi Gas believes that hardware is only half the battle; the other half is education. The company accompanies its sales with brief, on-site training sessions and 24/7 delivery services. Ensuring that buyers know exactly how to operate the equipment and, crucially, pass that knowledge on to their families.
"Following the awareness stage, there is user training," says Sitat. "We want to train all parents... so that children can be like little firefighters. Because the very first firefighter we have at home is the extinguisher."

Where They Are Located 
Wanesi Gas is located at the trade fair grounds opposite the Military Engineering (Génie Militaire) booth; in Yaoundé (Old Binam) 6 78 80 63 11 / 6 59 56 59 88; Douala (Old Pharmacy Bonabéri) 6 94 15 22 23 / 6 73 56 94 67. And in Bafoussam at Global Garage.

"Bad Apples" Versus Certification<...