Negligence blamed in most fires: Official<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A fire official warned residents on Monday to be
\ncareful in handling inflammable items in their houses because
\nmost fires were caused by people's negligence.<\/p>\n
Head of the City Fire Agency Suharso said most people did not
\nrealize that sparks from unattended items, such as lit cigarettes
\nand stoves, could lead to fires.<\/p>\n
\"In many cases, outbreaks of fire were caused by smoldering
\ncigarette butts and stoves, as well carrying out activities near
\nan inflammable substance.\"<\/p>\n
He urged residents not to steal electricity and follow proper
\nsafety procedures when installing electrical appliances as part
\nof their fire preventive measures.<\/p>\n
Suharso said the state electricity company PLN should promote
\nsafety measures among the public.<\/p>\n
\"When fires caused by short circuits are reported, the company
\nusually argues that power installations have been carried out in
\nline with the procedures.\"<\/p>\n
But he added that inspections revealed that many residents had
\ntheir power lines illegally connected to nearby electricity poles
\nwithout the company's knowledge.<\/p>\n
\"It is very dangerous and fires often ignite from that kind of
\nconnection,\" he said, referring to rampant electricity theft,
\nespecially in slum areas.<\/p>\n
He said there were 124 fires reported in the first quarter of
\nthe year in the capital.<\/p>\n
\"The figure shows that there is virtually no single day
\nwithout a fire in Jakarta.\"<\/p>\n
There were six fatalities, including four domestic helpers who
\ndied in a fire in Simpruk, South Jakarta. They died in their room
\nfrom smoke inhalation and burns.<\/p>\n
Two others were severely injured in the fire.<\/p>\n
Suharso also appealed to police to provide protection to
\nfirefighters while carrying out their duties. He said
\nfirefighters were often obstructed in their tasks by residents
\nwho wanted them to concentrate on their homes.<\/p>\n
\"Four of my men were beaten up by emotional residents
\nrecently,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In outlining preventative measures, he said contractors of
\nhigh-rise buildings should meticulously plan fire prevention and
\nescape systems, such as installing fire detectors, sprinklers,
\nhydrants and firehoses that could reach all parts of a floor, as
\nwell portable extinguishers.<\/p>\n
He said most state-owned buildings did not comply with City
\nRegulation No. 3\/91 on fire prevention.<\/p>\n
\"If we all abide by the regulation, the risk of fire outbreaks
\ncould be reduced up to 90 percent.\" He added that only 500 of the
\ncity's 1,000 buildings met the fire safety requirements.<\/p>\n
The City Fire Agency employs 2,446 people and is equipped with
\n132 fire engines.(06)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/negligence-blamed-in-most-fires-official-1447893297",
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