Human casualties on rise in fire incidents

KATHMANDU, Jan 27: Ten people have died and over two dozen critically injured in separate fire incidents that took place in the valley in the last six months, according to Kathmandu Fire Brigade.



The increasing trend of hoarding fuels at homes is considered to be the main cause behind the casualties. [break]



The brigade, popularly known as Juddha Barun Yantra, has said that prolonged load-shedding hours, delay in responding to the incidents, carelessness of people, use of inverters, etc., are the other reasons for the rise in fatalities in fire accidents.



"In the last six months, 10 people have died and scores have been injured in separate incidents," said Lila Raj Gachha Magar, chief of the brigade.



According to the brigade, among those who lost their lives in the fire incidents of the past six months, three were from Bhaktapur, two from Basantapur and one from Teku. Likewise, an elderly woman had died in Pashupatinath, two in Kapan and one in Swoyambhu.



The office said that Birendra Bahadur Saud, an Armed Police Force (APF), personnel, lost his hand while dousing the fire at Mahabaudha some six weeks ago. Saud is still receiving treatment at Bir Hospital.



He said that petroleum products kept at homes pose a big risk to lives and property. "Also, due to prolonged load-shedding, people forget to turn off their electrical appliances which increases the risk of short circuit," he added. Fire accidents due to short-circuits have also been increasing.



The brigade said that on an average two fire incidents took place in the capital each day in the last six months.



"Unmanaged settlements, narrow streets, scattered electrical, cable television and telephone wires and traffic jams are the main hurdles that hinder fire fighters from reaching the accident sites immediately," he said, adding, "Due to such hindrances, fires spread uncontrolled, ultimately claiming more lives and property. "Fire fighters say that fires are easier to contain if they approach the site in time.”



The brigade said that it has got sufficient number of fire trucks and life saving equipment, received in donation from governments of Japan, United Kingdom and Italy.

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