Information material

In the reporting period of 2025, 119 fires occurred in the Vitebsk region, resulting in 10 fatalities.

Currently, the leading causes of fires are violations of the rules for the installation and operation of stoves and other heat-generating appliances – 34 fires; careless handling of fire caused 33 fires; violations of the rules for the installation and operation of electrical networks and electrical equipment led to 27 fires.

The situation with fires involving vehicles and mobile equipment remains tense – in 2024, 100 vehicle fires were recorded in the region, and in the first two months of the current year, 13 vehicles have already caught fire.

In most cases, the cause of vehicle fires is the emergency operation of electrical equipment. However, this does not mean that other causes can be disregarded. Therefore, great care should be taken when installing gas equipment, including heating systems. When operating such equipment, all safety requirements specified by the manufacturer must be observed. Another common cause of fires is the poor installation of additional electrical and heating equipment in vehicles. The aforementioned systems should be installed in specialized service centers with qualified specialists.

To avoid a vehicle fire:

- undergo timely technical inspections;

- never refuel with the engine running, do not transport gasoline in plastic canisters, and do not use open flames in close proximity to flammable and combustible liquids;

- if light bulbs or fuses frequently blow in your car, do not wait; immediately take the car to a service center for an electrician's inspection; this may be a consequence of a short circuit, which can lead to a fire;

- check your car's fuel hoses – any wire under the hood must be thoroughly insulated;

- do not recharge batteries directly on the vehicles;

- do not heat the engine with an open flame (bonfires, torches, blowtorches) and do not use open sources of fire;

If the car has caught fire:

- stop the car and turn off the engine, have passengers exit the car, taking their documents and belongings;

- apply the parking brake;

- report the incident by calling 101 or 112;

- while waiting for rescuers, try to extinguish the fire yourself. If you have a fire extinguisher, slightly open the hood and insert the nozzle of the fire extinguisher into the resulting gap and try to extinguish the flames as much as possible. Then open the hood and de-energize the car by disconnecting the battery terminals. Remember that the metal may have already heated up.

- after the car has been de-energized, you can use improvised means to extinguish the fire – sand, water, snow, or cover it with a dense cloth.

- if the fire has engulfed the rear part of the car where the fuel tank is located, move away from the car quickly and as far as possible.

Observe safety rules. Take care of yourself and your loved ones!.