Fire causes and prevention debunked
“Colder temperatures result in longer operating times for heating equipment [as a result] there are more opportunities for the equipment to cause a fire.”
After rampant fires ravaged several homes in the north of Pretoria, Rekord spoke to the Tshwane metro emergency service to find out what the cause was and how the fires could have been prevented.
Spokesperson Charles Mabaso said the three most common causes of fire were electrical problems in houses, candles and paraffin stoves in shacks .
He added fires were also a common occurrence in colder months due to the increased usage of appliances to heat their homes.
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“Colder temperatures result in longer operating times for heating equipment [as a result] there are more opportunities for the equipment to cause a fire.”
Mabaso said that although fire prevention measures were “non-exhaustive”, they included:
– Switching off all electrical appliances during power failures.
– Switching off the stove after cooking.
– Placing gas appliances away from heating agents, stoves, heaters and other flammable agents.
– Keeping a bucket of water handy to extinguish small fires and one of sand to extinguish paraffin fires.
– Ensuring there is enough ventilation when cooking on an open flame inside a dwelling.
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– Ensuring gas cylinders were in good condition and tested regularly for leaks, which could cause a fire or explosion.
Below are the steps to follow in the event of a fire:
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