2019 witnesses 4.4% surge in fire incidents

LAHORE: Rescue 1122 has dealt with at least 34,725 cases of fire-related emergencies up to December 7, 2019 beginning from 2004.

Rescue 1122 said the fire cases increased by 4.4% during 2019 when compared to 2018. It asserted that at least 18,379 fire incidents were reported in all 36 districts of Punjab in 2019 whereas some 17596 cases of fires were reported in 2018 with an increase of 4.4%.

The overwhelming number of cases highlighted the high threat level of blaze emergencies that not only result in loss of lives but also destroy properties. A brief inspection of the aforementioned cases points toward human negligence as the primary cause of fire-related casualties.

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Punjab Emergency Service Public Relations Officer Muhammad Farooq Ahmad told The Express Tribune that a short circuit or spark in an electric button while switching on or off combined with a gas leak is a lethal combination.

“The spark is enough to put a house on fire if it is filled with combustible gas caused by a leak.”

He asked citizens to take great care while entering their house after a considerable time. If they smell gas, they should not turn on anything and instead open up windows and doors to let out the gas from the closed space.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2020.