Fire incidents on the rise, report shows

 

According to a report from the Fire Services Department, from total fire cases, 297 were caused by human errors. Among the rest, 229 were related to cooking activities, 142 electrical sparks and 92 were suspected arson. 

The report also showed that the number of fire cases has increased month-by-month in Yangon Region, Kachin State, Kayah State, Kayin State, Chin State, Sagaing Region, Taninthayi Region, Nay Pyi Taw, Bago Region, Magway Region, Mon State, Rakhine State and Ayeyawady Region. The number of fire cases rose from 17 in January, 176 in February and 267 in March to 221 in April. 

During the first four months, Yangon Region and Sagaing Region had the most fires break out, with 117 cases.

Fire Service officers said 2,041 buildings, three factories and 50 warehouses across the country were destroyed. In addition, 36 people died and 8,034 were injured, and more than US$30 million in losses were reported.

In the same period last year, Myanmar reported 929 building fires and more than US$29 million in damage.

In another development, it was reported that Mandalay, the second largest city in Myanmar, encountered 105 fire cases in the period, resulting in the death of one person, according to the Mandalay Region Fire Services Department. 

Official figures showed that negligence was one of the key causes for 45 fires, which outnumbered other causes during the period.

There were also 12 arsons in the region during the period, according to the figures.

The fires caused one death and destroyed 168 houses, leaving 543 homeless and 13 injured.

April was the most hazardous month with 42 fires during the period, compared with other months. February and March encountered 24 fires each, and there were 15 fires in January.

This year’s figures shows a significant drop compared with that of the previous year (2013), which saw 135 fires in the region, killing four people and leaving six injured. Last year’s fires destroyed 1,585 homes and 13 factories.