City facing greater risk of fire

Forty-one incidents reported during the past fortnight

Kochi is facing an increased risk of fire accidents, with 41 such incidents taking place in the last fortnight. Dry weather conditions prevailing in the city and the casual approach of city residents while setting dry grass to fire are contributing to the increased number of fire accidents, said Fire and Rescue officials.

Fire and Rescue squads stationed at Club Road, Thrikkakara, Tripunithura and Gandhi Nagar had a tough time dealing with such incidents in the city during the last two weeks.

Caused by carelessness

In some incidents, the overgrown grass in private holdings was set afire by residents for clearing the premises. In some other cases, carelessly discarded cigarette butts ignited fire. The burning of garbage also contributed to the fire accidents in the city recently, said A.S. Joji, station officer, Fire and Rescue department, Ernakulam.

Of the 18 fire cases attended to by the Fire and Rescue personnel of Gandhi Nagar, 11 incidents were related to the dry grass catching fire. While the fire fighters of the Thrikkakara and Tripunithura stations attended to six incidents each of dry grass catching fire during the last two weeks, the personnel at Club Road doused fire at two places, he said. In some incidents, the fire started by the owners of vacant plots for clearing the grass went out of hand and the service of the fire fighters had to be sought for controlling the situation, said Joe Kuruvila Easo, divisional fire officer.

Dry grass catches fire easily during the summer months. A spark from a nearby location is sufficient enough to create a big fire in the city. Burning of waste and refuse should be carried out with utmost care and under supervision, Mr. Joji suggested.

A fire thus ignited could also damage the power supply lines and other electric installations, besides posing a threat to nearby buildings. Those who are burning waste and grass should ensure that the fire and embers are extinguished properly before they leave the place, suggested Fire officials. Care should be exercised while burning the waste.