Summer season sees high number of fire cases in Jharkhand

RANCHI: Incidents of fire are being reported in high numbers across the state. Over two-dozen cases have been registered in Ranchi city and its surrounding areas in April. Moreover, around 190 cases of forest fires have been reported in areas under Ranchi forest division during the month.
Most of the fire breakouts reported in human habitats were due to short circuit, gas leakage, contact with high tension wire, laxity on the part of people, besides other causes.
An official in the fire services, Jitendra Tiwari, said, “High temperature has led to the increased use of fan, coolers, and air-conditioners. The load on electricity supply wire often exceeds its capacity, leading to short circuits and fire. The old electricity wiring of buildings also leads to short circuits.”
Another official added that every material has its auto-ignition point. The auto-ignition point of materials, particularly coal stock, is reached more quickly in summer as compared to that in other seasons, he stated.
Meanwhile, cases of forest fires are also on the rise across the state during April. The divisional forest officer (DFO) of Ranchi, Shrikant Verma, said, “Most of the forest fires are man- made. The villagers burn dry leaves to collect mahua during this season. They also burn leaves on foothills so that their ashes cover their field during rains and act like fertiliser.”
An official with the fire services said when the weather is hot and dry for a prolonged period of time, even a burning cigarette can cause a major fire. Three vehicles stationed at Ratu block were gutted in a fire that broke out at a nearby waste material spread on Sunday.
“There was no forest fire in his jurisdiction in January and February. Around 190 incidents were reported in April,” the Ranchi DFO added.
The data provided by the Dhurwa fire station in Ranchi revealed that six fire incidents were reported in February, seven in March, and 13 in April till the filing of the report.
Meanwhile, eight cases were reported at Doranda fire station in Ranchi in January, 11 in February, 12 in March, and 10 in April till date, sources stated.