Cigarettes caused 18 fires in Q1

Data from the Fire Services Bureau (CB) for the first quarter of 2018 shows that the number of incidents has increased 5.52 percent from the same period last year, with 11,616 incidents reported compared to 11,008 incidents in 2017.

The number of incidents when fire alarms were triggered was 259, up 7.92 percent year-on-
year. 92 of these, or 35.52%, were caused by unattended stoves or flames.

David Tsang, First Divisional Officer of CB, said 18 fire alarms were triggered by cigarette butts, “more or less the same” compared to last year.

The CB dispatched ambulances 10,092 times, an annual increase of seven percent from 660 times last year.

“Although the increase in ambulance attendance has slowed, the rescue resources are still limited and we call for all of Macau’s public to carefully consider whether the use of an ambulance is appropriate and to save the resources for those who really need it,” added Tsang.

In order to educate the public, the CB organized 63 lectures on fire protection, prevention of abusive use of ambulances and fuel safety. 5,255 people attended these lectures.

About 11 exercises on the use of fire extinguishers were organized, which were attended by 393 people.

Approximately 32,396 pamphlets, posters and guides for fire prevention were distributed.

The department also organized 18 evacuation exercises and other kinds of emergency preparation demonstrations, with 5,472 people participating.

CB carried out 1,971 fire safety inspections in the first quarter, in addition to 624 inspections concerning fuel safety in oil stations, oil storage centers and restaurant fuel suppliers.

When discussing CB’s preparation for the coming typhoon season, Tsang said that “after having gone through last year’s typhoon disaster, CB made short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans. CB has already added 15 more reporting hotlines, and has purchased some equipment, and did some exercises with the Macau Customs Services.”

“Later, we will carry out … internal research regarding cooperating with the Civil Protection Center to do a relative drill,” he finished.

According to Tsang, the new equipment will arrive in one to two months.