Temporary shelters are fire hazards

Dubai: A Dubai Police fire safety expert warned against the hazards of using portable cabin shelters as living quarters for workers or as separate reception rooms in houses.

Ahmad Mohammad Ahmad, head of the Fire Scene Examination section at the Department of Forensic Evidence and Criminal Science, said portable buildings used as temporary offices or shelters are made of combustible materials and fire could spread easily when used as labour accommodation because they are erected wall to wall without leaving any safe distance to protect neighbouring cabins in case a fire breaks out.

"Residents sometimes cook in these cabins using electrical or gas stoves, which are both risky because they should not be used in closed and over-populated areas. "Other reasons include candles and aromatic oils lit for prayers, as well as irregular electrical connections used to power fans," he said.

Revenge

Some workers may deliberately start fires as a means of revenge against their employer if their salaries are delayed or when the employer disconnects electricity at their residences for some hours to save on fuel used to operate power generators. "No matter how small a fire is, if it is not put out immediately by workers it can spread quickly, and in some cases the workers don't know how to operate fire extinguishers, or there aren't any in the first place," he said. Ahmad stressed the importance of making workers aware of dangerous acts that can start a fire, and teaching them how to act in case of fire and how to use fire extinguishers.