COIMBATORE: The district witnessed five fire accidents within a week and fire & rescue services department officials fear the number would increase with the onset of summer. On February 9, fire broke out at a jewel box manufacturing unit near Madukkarai. More than a crore worth of raw materials were destroyed.
Three accidents were reported in the last three days. On Monday night a fire gutted a fancy store at Thoppampatti junction in Mettupalayam. On Tuesday night the fire broke out at a private car shed at Vadavalli and 10 used cars were burnt to ashes. On Wednesday night, the master room at Mettupalayam railway station was gutted.
Though electric short circuit is suspected to have triggered the fires, the Joint Director (Western Region) of the Fire and Rescue Services Department P Saravanakumar directed Station Fire Officers (SFOs) to hold a detailed investigation and ascertain the cause in order to take preventive measures.
Talking about summer preparations, an official from the department said, “Shrubs and vines have sprouted in empty spaces after last year’s rains. If they wilt this summer, the risk of fire will increase. Although this is a regular occurrence, this year the summer is expected to start early and it is likely to last till the second week of May.
As the summer heat lasts for three months, all fire stations should be kept on alert till then.” Also, all the SFOs have been instructed to investigate the fire accidents that occurred in recent days, find out the reasons and take precautionary measures accordingly. We will monitor and clean the unused vacant spaces and bushy areas with the help of local bodies and take fire prevention measures, the officer added.
“Additional monitoring measures will be taken in the areas adjacent to the forest boundaries as there is a risk of fire spreading easily within the forest in case of fire. Similarly, it will be ensured that all fire stations have all facilities for easy control of fire incidents,” the officer said.
Sources in the department said some of the 13 fire and rescue stations in the district do not have basic facilities. These are likely to be fixed in view of the onset of the summer. “Travel delays are expected in some areas due to dense traffic. We have sought help from the police to reach out to the places on time,” added the officer.