MUSCAT: A recent statistics published by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) revealed that the number of fire incidents increased, registering 4,186 in 2022 compared to 4,057 incidents in 2021 and 3,409 incidents in 2020.
The statistics showed that 32.1 per cent of the fire incidents (1,345 incident) took place in residential facilities. Home-based fires are common due to the presence of electrical appliances, cooking gas, etc. This was followed by vehicle fires with 930 incidents making up 22.2 per cent of the total number of fire incidents reported last year. Vehicle fires increased significantly especially in summer often resulting in human and material losses. Vehicle fires are avoidable by paying attention to routine vehicle maintenance and replacement of damaged parts with new ones, especially engine parts, the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance advised.
According to the statistics, 839 (20 per cent) fire incidents occurred at waste collection sites while fires erupting at farms were 408 (9.8 per cent). Fires at farm fires, agricultural waste are mainly caused by the rising temperature in summer and farmer’s non-abidance by safety and precautionary measures.
Fires at companies and commercial institutions were 302 (7.2 per cent) and no fire incidents were reported at oil installations and 8 fire incidents occurred at places of worship.
The number of fire incidents involving electrical equipment, overhead power lines and utility poles amounted to 234 (5.6 per cent) whereas 50 fires occurred in government facilities last year.
Forty-one accidents occurred in industrial facilities as the Sultanate of Oman has recently witnessed rapid industrial growth. This is because some industrial facilities are not complying with the requirements of civil protection and safety measures.
Governorate-wise Muscat Governorate recorded the highest number of fire accidents compared to other governorates with 1,307 incidents, followed by the Al Batinah North Governorate (949 fire incidents) and Al Dakhiliyah Governorate with 435 incidents.
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