15 Apr 2013

The Central District Council (CDC) fire department has embarked on a fire awareness campaign.

Speaking at the Fire Expo in Tutume on April 13, the CDC deputy council secretary, Mr Mpho Mathe said the primary function of the department was to provide protection to life and property in the Central District.

The Fire Expo focused on educating the community on how to prevent fire accidents in respect to property and life. Mr Mathe said there were many issues concerning fire, especially when it came to the winter season, adding that every fire was caused by a human being.

He said people should understand the dangers of fire and how to protect themselves.  CDC controller of fire services, Mr Whitfield Joshua said people did not understand that smoke from fire and an assortment of products released from burning materials could cause death.

In addition, he said, the size of the particles determined how deeply into unprotected lungs it would be inhaled, adding that 94 per cent of fire deaths were caused by inhalation of toxic gases.

Mr Joshua noted that inhalation of carbon monoxide caused people to go deeper and deeper into sleep, by so doing shutting off oxygen to the brain, thus causing carbon dioxide poisoning.

He said when one was exposed to high levels of carbon dioxide gas during a fire outbreak and did not receive rescue or immediate assistance, one would definitely die and the flames would eventually consume them. ENDS