Gadgets and devices caused two fires in Vitebsk

A report of a fire in one of the high-rise buildings on Leningradskaya Street was received by rescuers on February 5 at 8:07 AM.

Upon arrival at the scene, the Ministry of Emergency Situations units observed open burning of an apartment on the second floor of a ten-story residential building. The owner of the apartment and her daughter left the burning apartment on their own, even before the rescuers arrived. However, their neighbors from the third floor could not leave their apartment without the help of the Ministry of Emergency Situations staff.

Through the window, using a three-section ladder, the woman handed her 11-month-old son to the rescuers, who were immediately taken to a safe place. The woman herself, along with her 12-year-old son, were led to fresh air by rescuers through the stairwell using special masks. As a result of the fire, property was damaged in the burning apartment, and the walls and ceiling were smoked. A check is being carried out regarding the fire; according to one of the versions, the cause of the fire was an electronic cigarette that was being recharged. Fortunately, there were no casualties.

However, on January 31, a woman and her young daughter were not so lucky – they became patients of the burn department of the State Healthcare Institution "Vitebsk Regional Clinical Hospital." As the victim explained, after putting her daughter to sleep, she picked up her mobile phone, which was connected to a portable charging device (power bank) at that time. Suddenly, the charging device caught fire, resulting in her and her child receiving burns.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations reminds of the basic requirements of fire safety rules for the operation of electrical networks and electrical equipment:

before operating electrical appliances, carefully study the operating instructions and strictly follow them;
use only serviceable electrical appliances;
do not overload electrical networks and overheat electrical appliances;
after using the electrical appliance, disconnect it from the electrical network.
do not leave mobile phone chargers and other gadgets and devices plugged in unattended;
install heating appliances on non-combustible bases or stands;
install protective devices of factory production only.

If the electrical appliance has caught fire:

quickly de-energize the electrical appliance (unplug it or completely cut off power to the room);
cover the electrical appliance with a dense, heavy cloth to stop the supply of oxygen;
if you cannot extinguish the fire yourself and the flames have spread beyond the appliance's casing – report the fire by calling 101 or 112 and evacuate the premises immediately;
remember that the smoke emitted during the burning of an electrical appliance is highly toxic – protect your respiratory organs with a scarf or sleeve;
when leaving, close windows and doors tightly to prevent the spread of fire;
notify your neighbors;