English
Kinyarwanda
Rwanda National Police (RNP) reminds the public especially the business community, to be cautious and take precautionary measures against the increasing cases of fire outbreak.
This comes after series of fire emergencies, largely caused by human errors. At least 201 cases of fire outbreak have been registered across the country between January and July this year. The majority 102 fire cases were reported in City of Kigali.
Some 21 cases were recorded in May, 31 in June and they increased to 41 in July, with the majority 26 cases reported in Kigali.
Fires resulting from electricity are 156 compared to 45 caused by cooking gas.
The RNP spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boniface Rutikanga said that the fires were caused by short circuit, substandard, poor or old installations, using lay electricians, poor storage of flammable products, welding and reckless use of cooking gas.
He added that lack of knowledge on causes of fire leads to careless use of electricity and gas leading to fire emergencies. This, he added, has necessitated the Fire and Rescue Brigade (FRB) to conduct awareness on fire safety to avert such disasters.
"There are people, who use lay electricians in installations, others use substandard electric cables, overload the electric system, put gas cylinders in covered or congested place with no oxygen and leaving cooking gas on when not in use, leaving electric appliances like flat iron on electricity, candles and unattended children. These are dangerous practices that put people's lives in danger," ACP Rutikanga said.
He also urged the public and particularly the business community, to design emergency assembly points, acquire fire extinguishers, fire horse, fire hydrant, install fire alarm systems, use professional or accredited electricians, quality electric products and ensure that gas cylinder is always turned off when not in use.
