Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has called for increased vigilance and precautionary measures against fire outbreaks.

Statistics by the Fire and Rescue Brigade indicates that 79 fire incidents occurred between January and October this year resulting into 15 fatalities with 31 others surviving with serious injuries.

Last year, 131 fire outbreaks occurred in different parts of the country leading to 45 deaths and 52 injuries.

Statistics further indicate that seven fire incidents recorded in 2019 were caused by Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) commonly known as the cooking gas, while 11 resulting from LPG occurred this year.

According to the Commanding Officer (CO) of Fire and Rescue Brigade, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jean Baptiste Seminega, majority incidents occurred in densely populated suburbs.

“Majority of the fire outbreaks in Gasabo District occurred in residential areas and Udukiriro (Integrated Craft Product Centres); Kicukiro in the residential areas of Kanombe, Gatenga and Ndera; Muhoza and Musanze sectors in Musanze District; Gisenyi and Kanama in Rubavu District,” said ACP Seminega.

Most of the fire incidents, he explain, were caused by reckless human actions.

“We found that most of these fires were caused by reckless usage of electronic appliances and overloading the electronic installation leading to short-circuit. 

An example is the fire that broke out in Fantastic restaurant; we found that eight big fridges and other electronic appliances were all served by one source of power extension cable causing short-circuit,” ACP Seminega said.

Other causes, he said, include unattended or unlocked cooking gas, charcoal stoves and candles; welding activities, poor wiring or braking system of automobiles; poor storage of flammables and accidents.

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“We urge the general public to be vigilant, take precautionary measures such as acquiring firefighting gadgets like fire extinguisher. Fires start small and can be put out using the basic equipment. 

However, always endeavor to know and call our emergency response team as early as possible. These contacts should be memorized; in an area where they are accessed and visible by everyone in your home, business or car for anyone to call in case of fire or any other emergency,” the CO emphasized. 

IMPORTANT EMERGENCY CONTACTS

112:                     Emergency (Toll-free)

0788211120:     Commanding Officer

0788311224:   Kacyiru Standby

0788380959:  Field Officer

0788380436: City of Kigali (City Centre)

0788311023:  Western Province

0788311024:  Northern Province

0788311025:   Eastern Province

0788311449:  Southern Province