Dubai: A man in Sharjah was killed after a fire broke at out at home while he was sleeping.
The tragic accident happened on Wednesday early morning in the area of Al Madam.
According to the Arabic daily Emarat Al Youm, the victim was killed as he slept in the housing unit provided by his employer – a car wash station.
Teams of Sharjah Civil Defence immediately rushed to the site, and found that other employees living at the housing unit were able to douse the fire with the water pipes already provided at the station.
However, when firefighters arrived at the scene, they discovered that the flames engulfed the victim’s room and the smoke had suffocated the man to death.
The body has been transferred to the forensic laboratory for an autopsy, and the case is under investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
How to prevent home fires
According to Abu Dhabi Police, 66 per cent of the fires across the UAE in 2016 occurred in homes.
Fires can be prevented in homes by following these steps:
- Always switch off the power at the mains before working with electrical issues
- Never work near or around water
- Avoid using faulty electrical materials that are used for connecting the power to electrical appliances
- Electrical leads and clothes must not hang near cookers or ovens
- Leaking kettles can pose a threat and washing machines must not run overnight
- Ventilation, such as fans inside the kitchen, must be kept clean especially if working near a gas cooker
- Always have a fire extinguisher in the home
