Burning issue of fire safety and regulation
I DISCOVERED at a tender age never to play with fire and water. These elements can wreak havoc when least expected.
The only safe time to allow fire to envelope you is when enjoying songs about this natural force by artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Pointer Sisters, Eumir Deodato and Alicia Keys.
But fire is known to have been caused by the evil acts of demons.
During South Africa’s horrid past, the regime sought to silence “troublemakers” through the use of fire.
“Necklacing” was resorted to from the mid-1980s, when petrol-laden tyres were put around people’s necks and lit.
Every now and again we hear of tragic occurrences of informal settlements catching alight due to accidents with lamps.
The wrongful use of fireworks, whether outdoors or indoors, has also caused much mayhem over the years.
The torching of buses, trains and taxis, coupled with the burning of libraries and schools, are further causes for concern.
The California “wildfire season” and Australia “bushfire season” are consistently in the spotlight.
However, the past few weeks have seen a substantial increase in fire-related incidents of varying extent.
The Cape has been experiencing water shortages of epic proportions. And when rain eventually fell last month, there were flash floods.
The citizens of Knysna on the Garden Route expected the winds to bring that muchneeded rain. Alas, it was not to be.
The winds instead brought destructive fires.
Drone footage confirmed the harsh reality of the dire effects of the avalanche of fires that swept across the tourist town at breakneck speed.
Tales abound of the heartache suffered.
Five citizens, as well as a firefighter, lost their lives. Many were left homeless and lost everything.
The caring nature of fellow South Africans saw help arrive in droves. Retail outlets, airlines, courier companies and Gift of the Givers were quick to respond.
The Knysna calamity came shortly after fire decimated a warehouse on Maydon Wharf in Durban.
Residents at Grenfell Tower in London had to endure much suffering when fire broke out in the early hours of the morning a few weeks ago.
The speed of the fire that engulfed the building was too quick for personnel to contain and minimise damage.
Seventy-nine people are believed to have died and authorities say the figure could still rise due to the illegal tenants who are unaccounted for.
Recently, a remake of the Simon & Garfunkel classic Bridge Over Troubled Water was released with the proceeds earmarked for victims of the disaster.
The charity single was inspired by Simon Cowell, who assembled numerous British artists for the recording.
Soon after the destruction in London, we heard of the Portugal bushfire that was apparently caused by lightning. It claimed more than 60 lives.
In Bloemfontein, the Town Hall was targeted by arsonists, made up of municipal workers who had embarked on a strike.
Four young children were left orphaned in Malvern when their mother died in a fire at home. In a devastatingly cruel twist of fate, they had lost their father hours earlier through illness.
The past weekend had its fair share of devastation.
Fifteen residents were treated for smoke inhalation when a fire broke out at a block of flats in Duncanville, south of Johannesburg.
Two initiates died and 20 were injured when an initiation school caught fire in the Eastern Cape.
On the eve of the joyous occasion of Eid, Pakistan was rocked by the deaths of about 150 people when an oil tanker exploded. The tanker had overturned and villagers nearby rushed to the scene to get the leaking petrol when the explosion occurred.
There are lessons to be learnt from the outbreak of fires.
Those responsible for intentionally and irrationally starting and fanning the flames must be dealt with in the harshest terms.
There is a suggestion that some fires are being caused by climate change.
Notwithstanding the reason, a higher level of vigilance is demanded from all citizens who could provide invaluable help to authorities.
Risk protocols and procedures must be clearly communicated to all parties who could possibly be affected by fires, especially in built-up environments.
One theme that recurs time after time is the lack of adequate resources to handle the outbreak of a fire.
It could well be argued that full preparation for such an emergency is not possible, but sufficient numbers of personnel and the necessary equipment must always be at hand.
Most disturbing from the Grenwell Tower fire are the results of investigations conducted.
It seems that the material used in the refurbishment of the building did not meet minimum standards.
Inspections being carried out at other residential buildings in the area are providing startling evidence, and close on 1 000 residents are being forced to seek alternative accommodation. Safety regulations can never be compromised.
In short, an education and awareness campaign can provide a flicker of hope so that each and every person is equipped to play his or her vital role when fire strikes.
Active citizenry is called for.