After the Iraq disaster… How do we react when a fire breaks out in a closed place?
The news related to the fire that broke out at a wedding in Iraq broke the hearts of millions of followers. Not only in our Arab world, but also around the world, especially with the emergence of photos and videos from the site of the accident, and the number of victims rising to huge numbers, prompting many to describe the matter as an actual “disaster.”
A fire broke out in a wedding hall in a town in northern Iraq, and authorities say it was caused by “fireworks” and highly flammable building materials. At least 100 people were killed, and more than 150 others were injured, according to an infinite toll published by the authorities.
There were about 900 guests in the hall, which did not meet safety requirements, at the time of the fire, according to the Ministry of Interior.
The devastation caused by the fire inside a closed hall during a wedding in Iraq (dpa)
Here we all have the following question: “How do we behave in the event of a fire in a closed place?”
The expert in charge of managing the “Indoor Rescue and Firefighting Training School” at the Central Operations Headquarters of the Lebanese Civil Defense, Michel Saliba, explains in his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat that it is important not to panic immediately when feeling the outbreak of a fire, and to try to focus on the operation. Evacuate as quietly as possible.
Among the basic steps that must be followed, according to the Lebanese Civil Defense official:
– Do not rush towards the main door immediately, especially if you are far from it.
– Try to calm down and not panic, and focus on knowing the evacuation plan.
– Checking for emergency exits (EXIT), and trying to listen to the evacuation plan. This happens by paying attention to the instructions of officials inside the place.
– When the exits are counted, you can go to the nearest door and exit through it, without participating in the stampede.
– Organizing awareness among the people present by informing them of the need to go to the emergency exits closest to them and not the main door.
– Try to use an emergency extinguisher if it is found in a location near you, but without adding time, especially if the situation quickly develops for the worse.
It is necessary not to hide inside a closed place due to the lack of oxygen that accompanies any fire that breaks out.
– Jump out of a window in emergency situations only if the situation allows it (a low floor).
– Do not participate in extinguishing a fire unless the person is trained to do so and has knowledge of the matter. Because any wrong methods may increase damage, not the opposite.
The importance of awareness and preparedness
Saliba stresses that it is essential to avoid the loss of lives when a fire breaks out, to spread awareness in communities about how to behave during these incidents, and to require all indoor places to develop an easily implementable emergency plan.
The expert continued: “It is very essential that every indoor hall, restaurant, or conference hall has a clear plan to evacuate people when a fire is felt, and this includes emergency extinguishers (at least two), and emergency exits that fit the space.”
Saliba explained, “For example, if the hall accommodates 100 people, the exits must be equipped to let one person out every 3 seconds. Hence, the number or size of the exits must be increased, according to the number of people the hall accommodates.”
He pointed out the importance of spreading awareness among students in schools, and insisting that employees in all places follow the instructions issued by the Civil Defense, which are published on its website on a seasonal basis, and training them on using fire trucks and knowing the emergency exits around them.
The expert also touched on the need for “indoor safety officials to keep pace with new technology and building materials.” He said, “There are devices that operate automatically when a fire occurs, and we must also follow up on the new materials that are used in construction, find out how dangerous they are, and try to develop an emergency plan after studying the materials and the time they may take to ignite.”
Fire inside the house
If the fire is inside the house, for example, the “YAZA Public Safety” organization in Lebanon says, via its website, that first its characteristics and source must be determined; To know the behavior to be followed.
She points out that a person must be calm, courageous and self-controlled.
In house fires, one must act according to the following steps, according to Yaza: protection, evacuation, reporting, and extinguishing. When a fire breaks out, you must immediately think about ensuring personal protection, not being exposed to danger, evacuating the building directly from residents through escape exits, and not using electric elevators.
Then you must call the emergency numbers and inform them of the accident.
Yaza explains that if the fire exceeds the size that can be controlled, you must leave immediately, and do not be distracted by putting on clothes or taking valuables, to save your life.
The group explains that after leaving the house, all doors must be closed; Because air currents entering from doors and windows increase the severity of the fire.
However, if the person does not find a way out of the house, he should not jump from the windows unless he is on the ground floor or the first floor at most. If he is in the high floors, he must wait near the window to attract the attention of the fire brigade until he is rescued, and he must not return to the house before the fire is completely extinguished.
