KARACHI, Nov 29: Though no major fire has been reported in Karachi so far in the current month, chances of fire eruption due to short circuits cannot be ruled out during the peak shopping season before Eid as electricity consumption in Ramazan goes up many folds, said city government’s chief fire officer, Kazim Ali.
Appealing to the citizens to be cautious in this regard, he told PPI that electricity short circuiting was the main cause of fire eruption around the world while the ongoing dry weather rapidly enhanced the chances of flare-up.
He criticized the traders for avoiding upgradation of their electricity wiring and fuses while the extra load of heavy lighting on substandard or decaying wiring was the major reason for third-degree fires during Ramazan.
He said that according to a study electricity consumption during Ramazan was about 45 per cent higher than in the normal days in Karachi, mainly due to bustling activities after iftar such as taraveh prayers, night cricket matches, heavy lighting arrangements at commercial centres and Eid bazaars.
According to an official of the fire service, an average of three heavy fires occurred every year in Ramazan, the most common cause of which was electric short circuit.
The official said that these fires spread very fast and were difficult to control because average temperature of wiring before the fire could rise up to 1000 degrees centigrade, while chances of its flare-up during dry season increased ten times.
The chief fire officer criticized the traders and businessmen in Saddar and the Old City areas for what he termed their irresponsible attitude in taking precautionary arrangements in their buildings.
Besides keeping a regular check on electricity wiring of the buildings, big shopkeepers, especially those in congested areas, should keep a fire extinguisher with them, he observed.
Another main factor that led to fire, he added, was that people usually tried to control the fire by trying different means and the fire brigade was notified only after the flames got out of control.
He said at present fire stations at the following sites could meet any emergency: Central Fire Station, Saddar, Site, Nazimabad, Orangi, Lyari, Landhi, Gulistan-i-Mustafa, Korangi, Shah Faisal, Manzoor Colony, North Karachi, Baldia Town, Mauripur, Clifton, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, National Highway, old sabzi mandi and the ERC at the Hawkesbay.
To combat fire in the Old City area and M.A. Jinnah Road, the department has established an emergency fire station at Mithadar tonga stand to meet the longstanding demand of the residents and traders.
He said that previously in case of fire on the M.A. Jinnah Road and the Old City areas, fire tenders used to be rushed from the central fire station or Saddar but the vehicles usually got stuck up in traffic jams.