Over 200,000 fires were reported across the country in the first 10 months, with electrical faults being the primary cause

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This post was last edited by h*ng on 2017-12-24 09:45. Over 210,000 fires reported nationwide in the first 10 months; electrical faults were the main cause. From January to October this year, 219,000 fires were reported across the country, resulting in 1,065 deaths, 679 injuries, and direct property losses amounting to 2.62 billion yuan. Looking at different locations, residential fires accounted for 43.5% of the total, resulting in the highest number of casualties. On the morning of the 7th, the Fire Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security held a media briefing for the 2017 119 Fire Safety Awareness Month, during which it provided information on fire incidents across the country from January to October 2017. 　　According to the report, from January to October this year, a total of 219,000 fires were reported across the country, resulting in 1,065 deaths and 679 injuries. The direct property damage amounted to 2.62 billion yuan, representing declines of 21.3%, 17.7%, 29.9%, and 24.7% respectively compared to the same period last year. 　　Among them, 50 major fires occurred, 7 fewer than in the same period last year, representing a 12.3% decline; 3 severe fires occurred, with no severe fires recorded in the same period last year; there were no especially severe fires. 　　Regarding different types of locations, the report indicates that fires in residential buildings are relatively common and result in the highest number of casualties. A total of 95,000 fires broke out in various residential buildings, accounting for 43.5% of all fires; these fires led to 821 deaths, which represents 77.1% of the total deaths, while 446 people were injured, accounting for 65.7% of all injured persons. In terms of the causes of fires, electrical issues were the primary cause, accounting for 74,000 cases, or 33.6% of the total; careless use of fire was the second most common cause, with 44,000 cases, representing 20.3% of the total. Other causes included accidents during production processes, playing with fire, lightning strikes, and static electricity, all of which accounted for a certain proportion as well. 　　November 7th falls during the Start of Winter season. In light of the potential risk of increased fires during winter and spring, the Fire Protection Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security also issued guidelines on the tasks and measures needed to prevent and control fires during these periods. 　　The Fire Department of the Ministry of Public Security requires that focus be placed on six types of high-risk locations: places with large crowds, areas prone to fires and explosions, \"three-in-one\" structures, shared rental housing, old residential buildings, and villages inhabited by ethnic minorities. In addition, cultural relics and historic buildings should also be included in this scope of inspection. It is necessary to thoroughly assess the situation in these areas, assign supervision responsibilities at each level, and implement preventive measures in terms of human resources, physical safeguards, and technical solutions. 　　In addition, the Fire Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security has also called for continued and intensified efforts to comprehensively address fire safety issues related to electrical systems and high-rise buildings, as well as for making every effort to ensure fire safety during major events and holidays across the country, such as Christmas, New Year’s Day, Spring Festival, and Lantern Festival.