Load-shedding fuels fire outbreaks â€" Police
Jun 07, 2006
THE effects of the 12-hour load shedding by Umeme are manifested in this year’s fire records at Tororo Central Police station.
By Daniel Edyegu
THE effects of the 12-hour load shedding by Umeme are manifested in this year’s fire records at Tororo Central Police station.
According to David Wabwire, the Tororo OC fire brigade department, power rationing is increasing the number of house-fire outbreaks.
“Because power leaves and comes back abruptly, people tend to forget electrical appliances in their sockets. These devises heat up and explode if unattended to when power comes back,†Wabwire said, citing a February incident in which an electric coil set ablaze a residential house at Senior Quarters in Amagoro Division.
The Police records put fire outbreaks in the district at 17 in 2004, 19 in 2005 and 18 occurred between January and May this year.
Wabwire said the figures were bound to double by the end of the year unless the public takes precautionary measures such as purchasing fire extinguishers.
One person died in a house fire last year, while another sustained burns in a January house fire in Malaba town, he said.
Wabwire also attributed the increase in fire outbreaks to the use of candles during load shedding.
“People have turned to candles as a remedy. Unfortunately candles are more likely to cause fire outbreaks,†he said.
Wabwire said the Police had embarked on a radio campaign to educate people on how to avert house fires.
THE effects of the 12-hour load shedding by Umeme are manifested in this year’s fire records at Tororo Central Police station.
According to David Wabwire, the Tororo OC fire brigade department, power rationing is increasing the number of house-fire outbreaks.
“Because power leaves and comes back abruptly, people tend to forget electrical appliances in their sockets. These devises heat up and explode if unattended to when power comes back,†Wabwire said, citing a February incident in which an electric coil set ablaze a residential house at Senior Quarters in Amagoro Division.
The Police records put fire outbreaks in the district at 17 in 2004, 19 in 2005 and 18 occurred between January and May this year.
Wabwire said the figures were bound to double by the end of the year unless the public takes precautionary measures such as purchasing fire extinguishers.
One person died in a house fire last year, while another sustained burns in a January house fire in Malaba town, he said.
Wabwire also attributed the increase in fire outbreaks to the use of candles during load shedding.
“People have turned to candles as a remedy. Unfortunately candles are more likely to cause fire outbreaks,†he said.
Wabwire said the Police had embarked on a radio campaign to educate people on how to avert house fires.