Hyderabad: People in the state lost more property to fires than to thefts last year, showing the importance of preventing fire mishaps. According to investigative and survey reports given to the fire services department by insurance companies, property worth Rs 183.64 crore was destroyed in 2015 in 8,784 fire mishaps.
As against this, the value of property lost to theft was Rs 104 crore in 16,563 property offences. The insurance claims worth Rs 183.64 crore processed last year was Rs 37.98 crore more than in 2014 (Rs 145.66 crore). The main cause for fire mishaps is said to be careless smoking (4,200 cases) electrical short circuit (2,642), gas or coal or furnace (410).
Fire services director-general Rajiv Ratan said the department was creating awareness among the public about the importance of preventing fire mishaps.
He said the department had equipped staff with motorcycles that can carry firefighting equipment.
“Motorcycles can reach fire spots even in narrow streets. These vehicles have water and foam to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading. Within a couple of minutes after the motorcycles, fire tenders reach the spot,” he said.
“Most citizens carelessly burn piles of leaves and garbage. very often this is causing fire mishaps. The carelessness of smokers is also causing fire accidents,” he said.
He said the number of fire mishaps of electrical origin had come down in 2015 because of continuous power supply. “Overloading the electrical system leads to fire accidents and power cuts were one of the main reasons of fire,” he said.
The DG said that faults in the electrical fuse system also caused fire accidents. “Most citizens use thick copper wire while replacing fuses. This is not safe, he said. He said that the high-risk period for fires is from February to June.
Telangana government okays 22 fire stations for this year
The Telangana state government had announced that it would set up 63 fire stations. In the current year, the government has sanctioned 22. Of these, Hyderabad and Warangal districts will get four fire stations. Fire officials are looking for land suited for their requirements. Once the land is selected work will begin to build the new fire stations.
Karimnagar will get three fire stations followed by Mahbubnagar (2), RR (2), Khammam (2), Nalgonda (2), and Adilabad, Nizamabad and Medak districts (1 each). These fire stations are expected to check mishaps substantially.
