Fire warnings are issued as families prepare to cook their iftar meals


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ABU DHABI // Police have warned residents to be particularly vigilant during Ramadan, when the risks of fires increase as people cook elaborate iftar meals and burn more incense. Leaving incense burners unattended and forgetting to turn off ovens are two of the main causes of fires during the holy month, the Ministry of Interior said yesterday. It also warned of the dangers of fireworks and firecrackers.

"There is a tendency to have more fires during Ramadan as families cook large meals in a short time and forget to pay attention to safety procedures," said Brig Gen Mohammed al Awadi, deputy director of public relations at the ministry. He warned those cooking in preparation for the iftar meal at sunset against wearing "loose clothes and long sleeves", as they could catch fire. The ministry also called on the public to pay particular attention to the safety of gas cookers by checking the state of the rubber pipe connecting the gas cylinder to the oven.

"Only professionals should be connecting the gas tankers, as any wrong step could lead to a gas leak and an explosion," warned Brig Gen al Awadi. One of the most common source of fires during Ramadan are incense burners, left to burn for hours unattended. "Leaving an incense burner near clothes, or inside a closet full of clothes, is dangerous," he warned. It is a tradition to pass an incense burner among visitors during Ramadan, so they can fan themselves with the fragrant smoke, or to leave one burning where coats and abayas are hung to infuse them with the smoke.

"Every household should have a fire extinguisher and know how to use it," said Brig Gen al Awadi. The announcement comes as Dubai Municipality issued strict shisha regulations in Ramadan tents to ensure the holy month passes without fire problems. The municipality said it will deploy officers to inspect tents to ensure there are no offences. Offenders face fines ranging from Dh1,000 for minor offences, such as smoking in a tent, to Dh50,000 for major violations, which include setting up a tent without proper permits and allowing unlicensed activities.

@Email:rghazal@thenational.ae

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THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

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Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

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Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.

Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.

The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.

Results:

First Test: New Zealand 30 British & Irish Lions 15

Second Test: New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24

Third Test: New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15

The bio

Who inspires you?

I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist

How do you relax?

Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.

What is favourite book?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times

What is your favourite Arabic film?

Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki

What is favourite English film?

Mamma Mia

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