Negligence major reason behind fire incidents in Oman

Muscat: Negligence and soaring temperatures are the major reasons behind many fire incidents during summer, according to a senior official at the Public Authority of Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA).
Faisal Al Thuhli, a lieutenant at PACDA, said: “Negligence and high temperatures are the major reasons behind summer incidents. Vehicle fires increase during summer due to a lack of maintenance which could cause electrical failure in the vehicle.”
Awareness vital
He added: “Fire incidents are common, whether in vehicles, houses, factories, warehouses or farms. They sometimes result in the loss of human life and they could have been avoided with better attention and an awareness of prevention”.
According to the official, leaving children unattended in vehicles especially amid scorching summer temperatures is down to the negligence of parents. He added that children must be supervised and not left alone near or in vehicles, for their safety.
Electrical connections
Al Thuhli also said that failing to maintain electrical connections and the existence of faulty electrical installations that do not conform to specifications can lead to fatal fires at home. He highlighted the danger of placing gas cylinders in the sun, causing them to explode when the temperature rises. “This can result in disaster, and it is caused by negligence,” he cautioned.
According to PACDA figures, more than 1,300 fires in residential buildings were reported in 2018.
The main causes of residential fires include poor storage, poor electrical connections, failing to maintain fire extinguishing equipment, fuel leakage and welding sparks.