It is possible that due to the influence of hotter weather during the dry season, the non-standard electric cables were susceptible to heat and eventually caused firesYogyakarta (ANTARA) - The Yogyakarta Fire and Rescue Service has warned residents of the risk of fires during the dry season and urged them to take anticipatory measures, starting from the smallest level.
"From June to July 2022, there has been a significant increase in fire cases, and so far, the number of fire cases is more than 50 percent compared to last year's total," head of the Yogyakarta Fire and Rescue Service, Octo Noor Arafat, informed here on Friday.
According to data provided by the service, in June, five fires were recorded in Yogyakarta city. The fire service also assisted in handling one fire outbreak outside the city.
However, in July, the number of fires increased, with up to 11 outbreaks reported inside the city. Besides these, the fire service also assisted in handling 9 fire outbreaks outside the city.
"In August, there were no fire incidents in the city, but we were able to offer assistance to (put out) three fires in one night outside the city at different locations," he informed.
While 50 fires were recorded in Yogyakarta city in 2021, a total of 37 blazes have been recorded in the city so far this year. "The number of cases until the middle of the year is quite a lot," Arafat observed.
According to him, most of the fires were either caused due to improper electrical installations, or because good quality materials meeting the required standard were not used in electrical cables.
"It is possible that due to the influence of hotter weather during the dry season, the non-standard electric cables were susceptible to heat and eventually caused fires," he said.
Thus, people must recheck electrical installations in their homes to ensure their own safety, he added.
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He also asked residents to unplug all cables from sockets and ensure that no stove is left turned on when the house is unoccupied.
"In addition, another cause of fires is human negligence. For example, what happened recently was the burning of a tree because people wanted to burn a wasp's nest upon that tree," Arafat recalled.
He then advised residents to report any wasp nests that they want removed to the Fire and Rescue Service.
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"The service is free and it is much safer," he said.
He claimed the fire service has removed 163 wasp nests this year.
The Yogyakarta Fire and Rescue Service has also provided financial assistance to victims of fire, depending on the damage caused to their residences, he added.
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Translator: Eka Arifa R, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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