Editor,
Fire was discovered as an important tool that enabled us to cook food, warm our bodies, and sometimes protect us from fear of darkness. It helps us to ward off various types of dangers. However, sometimes, when it is not used properly, it becomes destructive because it is also the most dangerous element.
Recently, several fire accidents have been reported in Arunachal Pradesh, most of them from Daporijo town in Upper Subansiri district. A similar accident occurred near Sigumrijo Colony in Daporijo on 7 January at around 3 am. I immediately dialled the fire service. It responded as quickly as possible and stopped the fire from spreading further after reaching the spot, but the ill-fated house was already engulfed in flames before the helpless victims. Morning came and I started questioning why there are always fire accidents.
Even if fire becomes our destroyer or enemy, we cannot leave it. It is the element we need the most. However, we can create a way to prevent our homes from being destroyed by fire. We should always ensure that the chimney in our kitchen has a wide radius. It plays the most important role in prevention of fire accidents. We should always ensure that the electrification of our home is done properly with durable and quality wires and equipment, as most of the fire incidents happen due to electrical short-circuits. Electricity connections of each house should be regularly checked by an electrician from the electricity department and suggestions should be made to remove old, broken connections. Old and leaky wiring and equipment should be replaced immediately. Care must be taken with candles and cigarettes by ensuring that they are properly doused when not in use. Domestic LPG cylinders should be properly shut off when not in use.
Awareness should be generated among the residents of colonies to identify the root cause of fire accidents, as we live close to each other’s house. Since we know that fire accidents happen due to our carelessness and negligence, all the residents of the fire accident site should follow the order during this period of performance of local rituals by the priest, as it is believed that the queen of fire becomes angry if she is not appeased with any fresh blood of animals, as explained by the priest.
Therefore, the need of the hour is that you and yours come forward to stop the fire from caring and sharing. This act of collective responsibility will definitely be helpful in mitigating fire accidents.
Tokong Ketha,
Sigumrijo Colony,
Daporijo