220 residential building fires in Dubai in 2014

DUBAI // There were 220 fires in residential buildings in the emirate last year, including apartments, villas and labour camps, according to Dubai police.

Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed, the head of fire effects examination at the forensic evidence department and criminology, said most fires started in the kitchen as it contains flammable substances such as oils and gas, with the balcony the second most common source of blazes as they are often used for storage.

He said 4 fires last year were caused by children and warned that youngsters aged 3-7 represent a high risk to themselves and to others because of a lack of awareness.

Smoking indoors or throwing cigarettes from a balcony can also lead to fires and injuries, said Mr Ahmed, adding candles, air-conditioners and fireworks also pose dangers.

Mr Ahmed urged people to be mindful of gas stoves and to deal with any gas leaks by opening windows and shutting off the gas at the source and avoiding the use of electric circuits. In case of a fire, he said that all doors must be closed to prevent the flames from spreading and civil defence alerted by calling 997.

He stressed that all members of a household must learn the emergency numbers by heart, especially domestic helpers, and called on people to keep working fire extinguishers in their homes and to learn how to use them.