Prevention

I had quite a harrowing Tuesday morning. I got a call from friends, and then eventually from a brother of mine, about an ongoing fire at the site of an informal settlers' community right beside the place where his family stays. Since most of the houses in the settlers' community are made of light materials, aside from the obvious overcrowding in the area, the possibility of the fire eventually creeping up on their home was high indeed as the fire quickly spread. A perimeter wall does exist but flames are not easily deterred by walls. The flying embers alone pose a threat to nearby light materials as well. When I got the call from my brother, several fire engines have already arrived at the scene, but I could hear explosions in the background as LPG tanks exploded. I can just imagine how my brother and his family, along with the other residents in the community were going through.

Indeed, what do you save in the event of an impending fire? I for one would not know where to start. Important papers, expensive objects, my pets, anything of extreme monetary or sentimental value? Clothes can be replaced, as well as furniture and appliances. But memories and the like, simply cannot. But then again, what items do you prioritize? I guess that is a very subjective question. To each his own, when it comes to what constitutes value. So instead of wondering what to bring, perhaps it would be better to think of prevention.

Informal settler communities are normally made of lightweight, easily igniting materials such as thin wood, or even second hand wood. And they are normally packed like sardines. Is it not prudent for a fire station to be placed right at the heart of communities like this, so when a fire does break out, they are already there at the scene?

According to my brother, it took several minutes for fire trucks to arrive. And that is just half the problem. Getting to the fire is another. Negotiating the narrow passageways while tugging on a fire hose is not an easy task for responding firemen. And once the hose is pressurized with water, it becomes even more difficult to handle, not to mention the possibility of the hose kinking along its length, thereby affecting pressure. Water alone cannot put out a fire, as you need strong pressure. A raging fire easily evaporates water droplets so high pressure is utilized to overcome that problem.

It took about two hours before firemen declared the fire safely out. But how many times do we have to play this scenario before preventive measures are put in place? If the place is a virtual tinder box, then there must be fire fighting measures in place. If the informal settlers cannot be relocated, then their safety, and that of nearby communities must be ensured. Perhaps a common cooking area must be in place. Candles must be forbidden. Children monitored at all times. Fire extinguishers provided by the local government along with proper training in using them. With the coming New Year, firecrackers of any kind must be forbidden. In other words, if people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks, then people living in wooden houses must not play with any kind of fire.

Common sense dictates that. 

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