Over 1,000 fire incidents inSangam city this year, 110 rescued

Prayagraj: As many as 1,020 fire incidents were reported in Sangam City this year, with April alone accounting for 500 cases. However, quick intervention by fire personnel managed to rescue 110 people.

According to reports, majority of fire incidents (68%) were triggered by short circuits in godowns, residences, hotels and shops. Cooking gas leakage was the second major cause (17%).

On April 19, a major fire took place at a godown belonging to Lallu Ji Tent & Company, a supplier of tents for the Maha Kumbh, located on Parade Ground. The blaze not only caused damage worth lakhs of rupees, but also injured around two dozen people.

Four other fire incidents were reported over the past four months. However, timely intervention of the fire department, police, and administration saved 110 lives in separate cases.

Figures from the fire department revealed that 1,020 fire incidents have been reported this year, including Jan (80), Feb (70), Mar (370) and Apr (500).

Chief fire officer (Prayagraj) RK Pandey told TOI, "The fire department personnel rescued as many as 110 people in a total of 1,020 cases of fire incidents recorded between Jan 1 and Apr 27 this year."

He added, "With the beginning of the summer season, we have taken up a series of awareness and educational camps at various departments, govt and private high-rise buildings to apprise the residents of the factors responsible for fire."

The CFO said, "The majority of fire incidents often occur in the summer season, and among them, most of the cases are attributed to short circuits or throwing burning articles in fields."

Besides, there have been incidents of transformers catching fire in the summer season as well. Fire officials claimed the incidence of short circuits often occurs when a low-resistance path not suited to carry electricity receives a high volume of current, resulting in damage to appliances.phot