Nghe An: More than 43% of fires are caused by electrical short circuits

(Baonghean) -Entering the hot season, the risk of fire and explosion is present everywhere, creating an urgent need for propaganda work, raising awareness among people, and the effectiveness of fire prevention and fighting training and drills to reduce the fear of "fire".

More than 43% of fires are caused by electrical short circuits.

According to statistics from the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police of Nghe An province, from the beginning of 2016 to now, there have been 90 fires in the province, causing property damage of about 13.12 billion VND, of which 39 were caused by electrical short circuits, accounting for 43.33%. Since the beginning of the year alone, there have been nearly 10 fires caused by electrical short circuits.

Fire prevention and fighting drill at Vinh City General Hospital. Photo: Canh Nam

For example, the fire that occurred in early 2017 at the Herpoo Spa beauty salon (No. 42, Dinh Cong Trang Street, Vinh City). At 3:00 a.m. on January 17, Fire Police Department No. 1 received a fire report from the homeowner, Ms. Hoang Thi Hien. At that time, her family of 6 people, including 2 elderly people and 2 children, were trapped on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The fire had almost engulfed the entire 1st floor, and smoke was billowing to the upper floors. Upon receiving the report, Fire Police Department No. 1 immediately mobilized 2 fire trucks, 1 command vehicle, and 30 officers and soldiers to the scene. Within 45 minutes, the fire was completely extinguished, and the 6 trapped people were safely rescued. The cause was later determined to be an electrical short circuit that led to the fire.

The most recent fire occurred at around 4:30 a.m. on March 20 in Vinh Tan Ward (Vinh City). Accordingly, the fire broke out from the scrap warehouse of Mr. Ngoc and Mrs. Dung at 63 Le Huan Street. The fire broke out quickly and spread to 15 other warehouses containing packaging, candy, rice and bicycle shops... of neighboring households. Upon receiving the report, Fire Police Department No. 1 mobilized 65 officers and soldiers, 7 specialized fire trucks and commanders to participate in fighting the fire. However, it took 2 hours for the authorities to control the fire and extinguish it. Although the fire did not cause any human casualties, a lot of property was burned and damaged, estimated to be worth billions of dong. What is special is that according to initial assessments, the fire was most likely caused by an electrical short circuit.

Entering the hot season, the risk of fire and explosion due to electrical short circuits increases. On hot days, cooling devices such as air conditioners, fans, ice cream makers, ice makers, etc. often have to work at full capacity, leading to power overload. Meanwhile, the reality is that the power transmission system in many areas has degraded; people's awareness of ensuring power grid safety is still low.

It is also important to be aware that the risk of fire and explosion due to electrical sources during the hot season is very high, but not all. When the temperature increases, the air is hot and dry, sometimes even a small spark can turn into a large fire. Authorities recommend that people be careful in every daily activity such as burning trash, burning fields, burning incense, burning votive paper in markets, shopping centers... If done carelessly, these actions can lead to fire and explosion with unimaginable consequences.

Responsibility of the people

Attending the fire prevention and fighting drill at Quan Lau market (Vinh city), it is easy to feel the urgent and serious atmosphere of the traders when directly participating in the drill. Officers and soldiers of Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department No. 1 disseminated some knowledge about fire prevention and fighting in the specific characteristics of the market; at the same time, demonstrated some emergency fire fighting movements using foam extinguishers, canvas... as well as showed "tips" to protect themselves from the toxic gas of the fire.

Quan Lau Market has 162 permanent kiosks and about 200 people from other neighboring localities doing seasonal business. It is worth mentioning that the market was built a long time ago so it has now seriously degraded, the kiosks are all in a dilapidated state, with tangled electric wires.

Meanwhile, like many other markets, this place sells a variety of goods, with many items such as votive paper, fabrics, electrical equipment... all of which are flammable, especially in the hot season. The fire prevention drill is really practical for the small traders here.

Mr. Tran Quang Hung - a trader at Quan Lau market said: "I think fire prevention drills are very necessary. Through drills, we are equipped with more knowledge about fire prevention and search and rescue when an incident occurs. In addition, it helps people raise their awareness of possible risks from subjectivity and carelessness in daily life."

Food stalls using charcoal stoves in Kenh Bac market pose a high risk of fire and explosion in the summer. Photo: PV

In addition to organizing fire prevention and fighting drills in markets, the provincial Fire Police force also focuses on improving the quality of fire prevention and fighting drills and rescue (CNCH) at agencies, units, commercial centers, and high-rise apartment buildings. Along with that, the Fire Police and localities and units proactively signed a commitment to the coordination regulations in fire prevention and fighting and rescue work. For example, Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department No. 7 signed a cooperation program for the period 2017 - 2020 with the Propaganda Department of Hung Nguyen, Nam Dan, Thanh Chuong districts; Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department No. 4 signed a coordination regulation to ensure security, order, fire prevention and fighting safety with agencies and units in Dien Chau, Quynh Luu, Nghia Dan districts and Hoang Mai town...

Colonel Vu Ngoc Due - Chief of Staff of the Provincial Fire Police Department said: "The signing helps to improve the effectiveness of State management of fire prevention and fighting at all levels; the role and responsibility of sectors, agencies, enterprises as well as the awareness of all classes of people in complying with the Fire Prevention and Fighting Law are gradually raised, minimizing fire and explosion accidents, contributing significantly to ensuring security and order, promoting socio-economic development".

In addition to the participation of functional forces, people also need to be aware and responsible for fire prevention and fighting. This is also the direction of the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Xuan Dai at the signing ceremony of the program to coordinate in promoting the movement "Fire prevention and fighting for all people" for the period 2017 - 2020 in mid-April: "The responsibility and obligation in fire prevention and fighting is not only the responsibility of one person but it is the common responsibility of the whole society, so all levels need to coordinate to promote propaganda work to raise awareness and sense of responsibility of all classes of people... Thereby, minimizing the number of fires and explosions that cause serious consequences for people and property".

South Scene