Gadgets and devices caused two fires in Vitebsk

Gadgets and devices caused two fires in Vitebsk.

Rescuers received a report of a fire in one of the high-rise buildings on Leningradskaya Street 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 apartment building. The owner of the apartment and her daughter left the burning apartment on their own, 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 was immediately moved to a safe place. The woman herself, along with her 12-year-old son, was led to fresh air by rescuers through the stairwell using special masks. As a result of the fire, property in the burning apartment was damaged, and the walls and ceiling were smoked. An investigation is underway into the fire; according to one version, the fire was caused by 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 the time. Suddenly, the charging device caught fire, resulting in burns to her and her child.

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

- Before using electrical appliances, carefully study the operating instructions and strictly follow them;

- Use only serviceable electrical appliances;

- Do not overload electrical networks or overheat electrical appliances;

- After using an electrical appliance, disconnect it from the power supply.

Do not leave switched-on mobile phone chargers and other gadgets and devices unattended;

- Install heating appliances on non-combustible bases or stands;

- install protective devices of factory production only.

If an 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 oxygen supply;

- if you cannot extinguish the fire yourself and it has 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 the windows and door tightly to prevent the spread of fire;

- notify your neighbors;