105 fires, 65 gas leaks in 2018

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF)’s Fire and Rescue Service reports it attended to 105 fires and 65 gas leaks in Maldives this year.

Speaking during a press conference this Monday, Commander of Fire and Rescue Service, Colonel Abdulla Zuhry said 11 of the 105 fires were major incidents.

Zuhry noted an increase in fires due to faulty electric wiring, which he said resulted in the fire at M. Hardrock in Male’ City on December 15.

He said the Fire and Rescue Service held discussions with State Electric Company (STELCO) to identify reasons for fires due to electric shorts.

Zuhry said the Service and STELCO identified lack of use of wiring equipment approved by STELCO, and carelessness by foreign workers – who are employed instead of professionals with license for electric wiring by the Energy Authority as reasons for such problems.

Zuhry announced plans to run periodic compliance checks in collaboration with STELCO in order to solve the issue.

Fire and Rescue Service also noted an increase in number of gas leaks, with 13 gas leaks reported in December alone.

Zuhry said three major fire incidents resulted from gas leaks this year; including the fire at the Shellbeans Bakery on June 9.

He said the Service identified leaks in such cases originated from the mouth of gas cylinders, regulators, and the bottoms of gas regulators.

He advised the public not to switch on electricity if the smell of gas is detected in any household, and to switch off all electricity and lock the doors when leaving.

Zuhry said the number of fires reported in 2018 is slightly lower than the previous year, but the number of gas leaks is higher compared to 2017.

FIRE INCIDENTS:

2016: 102 incidents

2017: 119 incidents

2018: 105 incidents

GAS LEAKS:

2016: 131 incidents

2017: 44 incidents

2018: 65 incidents

Zuhry also noted a quicker response time by Fire and Rescue Service; from an average of six minutes in 2016, to an average of five minutes and 45 seconds in 2017, to an average of five minutes and 30 seconds in 2018.