Fire Outbreaks Caused By Air Conditioners, Unattended Cooking – FCT Controller

Fire Outbreaks Caused By Air Conditioners, Unattended Cooking – FCT Controller

 Most fire outbreaks in homes and offices in the country, especially in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are caused by split air conditioners and unattended cooking.

The acting controller of the Fire Service, FCT Command, Engr Sani Saidu, said out of these two major causes of inferno in public and residential buildings, split air conditioners account for 85 per cent of fire outbreaks.

Engr. Saidu warned that in the absence of regular maintenance and proper servicing, air-conditioners can end up triggering a deadly blaze.

The controller who spoke through the command’s spokesman, Ibrahim Muhammad Tauheed, said most fires from air conditioners are caused by unstable power supply and substandard cables.

While noting that fires from air conditioners are more common in Nigeria than previously thought, Saidu said the fires are often caused by a short circuit in the wiring which leads to  overheating of the appliance.

This is even as he said frequent power surges or fluctuation in voltage the air conditioner receives can also overheat the unit.

He also listed hoarding of petrol in homes and unattended cooking as fire causes, adding that stoves, clothe dryers, heaters, computers, fans, candles, holiday decorations, smoking, lightening, children, chemicals and gasses, as well as other electrical systems and devices are potential causes of fire outbreaks in homes.

He particularly blamed “The God forbid mentality’’ where some persons forget that churches and mosques where  the faith they proclaim are domiciled have severally recorded fire outbreaks