Fire incidents rise, 14 deaths this year

The alarm was sounded as the TTFS embarks on its annual “Fire Services Week” beginning on Sunday with the theme for this year’s observations being ‘Don’t Wait __ Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years’.

“We are placing greater emphasis on fire safety in the home and visiting various communities to share practical messages on how fires can be prevented,” said Acting Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Arjoon Lalchan yesterday.

“Statistics have shown a drastic increase in reports of structural fires this year resulting in fatalities especially in homes.

So far, 14 people have perished in fires __ three children, one teenager and ten adults and the senior citizens recorded the highest in the casualties.

These are persons over 60 years of age and as such we are placing greater emphasis on fire safety in the homes, and visiting various communities to share practical messages on how fires can be prevented.

Of the 14 deaths, the Southern Division alone recorded 11. Lalchan said a lack of proper fire intelligence and awareness of the inherent dangers have led to major incidences of fires and he called for persons to become more educated on fire prevention.

He explained that poor electrical system in buildings such as an overloaded circuit, stealing current, poor maintenance, faulty wiring, naked flames, leaking LPG lines and children playing with matches are among some of the major causes of fires while more and more, firemen are seeing heavy burglar proofing __ placed in houses to keep intruders out __ are preventing persons from escaping a burning building.

“Do not sacrifice your safety for security,” he warned as he called for a more intelligent approach to making one’s home safe from intruders.

Lalchan added, “We want to partner with the community as one life lost in a fire is too many.

“We are appealing to members of the public to increase their safety intelligence so that we can reduce loss of life, these lives that could make a contribution to society.

Fire prevention is everybody’s business, don’t be a victim.”