Salal Ameen
In developing countries in common, masses face fire erupting accidents in commercial, industrial and public buildings on routine basis. However, fire flares up due to sparking of worn out wires, gas leakages or other sort of negligence.
Recently, in Gaddani, the second largest shipbreaking yard which stretches along the Balochistan cost, while cutting an expired ship fire ignited and in accordance with, media sources the accident claimed around 25 lives.
Earlier on Monday 6 December, fire enveloped Regent Plaza, a four-star hotel in Karachi, which claimed 12 lives and injured many. Consequently reports cleared that both accidents intensified due to lack of equipments and guidance or efforts from concerned authorities and rescue teams.
According to estimates 80 percent buildings in every city don’t employ fire safety measures jeopardizing lives of occupants. Measures range from fire hydrants to the fire control centers. It becomes foremost responsibility of relevant authorities to raid buildings and ensure check and balances, if one does not adopt anti-fire equipment then they must be penalized.
Secondly, emergency aid is not provided on the time which worsens the situation and finally a small fire converts into an inferno. Fire brigades must be employed in every city so that in case of emergency they could overcome fire immediately. Thirdly, masses must be inculcated fully how to contain fire without losses of lives or how to react when one traps in fire by including fire guidance chapters in school curriculums, broadcasting programs on television and printing in newspapers.
Let’s have some guidance on how to react when all in a sudden fire erupts. First of all one must always ensure maintenance of electric wires, gas pipes and beware while ignition of fire. Secondly if someone is trapped in fire he must awake all other occupants, if they are unaware or slumbering. Then one must try to find ways to get out of building if possible or he must proceed towards the upper most part of the building so that smoke may not affect his breathing.
Mostly people die in such accidents due to suffocation. If one is trapped in a room there is no exit door then he must find water in case water is available he must take bath with as much water as possible or drink water lest carbon dioxide should enter into his lungs. If water is not available in much quantity one can take a towel or a piece of cloth and moisten it with water and put it on mouth to stop carbon dioxide inhalation.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are those of the author and Balochistan Voices not necessarily agrees with them.
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