Four killed in 240 fires across Abu Dhabi during first quarter of 2014

Four people were killed and 58 injured in 240 fires reported in the first three months of this year, according to figures from Abu Dhabi Civil Defence.

Three people died and 27 were hurt in the capital while one person was killed and four injured in the Western Region. There were no fatalities in Al Ain, although 27 people suffered injuries.

There were 114 blazes reported in Abu Dhabi, 90 in Al Ain, and 36 in the Western Region.

In Abu Dhabi, there were 40 residential fires, 18 vehicle fires, 17 fires at government buildings, 10 in commercial buildings, eight in public utilities and 21 miscellaneous incidents.

In Al Ain, there were 37 fires in residential areas, 30 vehicle fires and 23 miscellaneous cases.

In the Western Region, there were 11 fires in public utilities, 10 in government buildings, nine in residential areas and six miscellaneous cases.

Abu Dhabi Civil Defence has intensified its programmes to foster public awareness about minimising fire hazards at public and private establishments.

It has conducted field visits, distributed publications and guidebooks on causes of fire and prevention measures, and provided training courses at industrial, commercial and educational establishments.

The agency has also trained fire-safety supervisors to use extinguishers and to evacuate buildings quickly.

Furthermore, the agency has also sent thousands of messages on fire-safety awareness to members of the public via social media and smartphone applications.