Fire casualties up 17 percent in November

An average 117 fires broke out each day last month, resulting in an average 5.6 casualties and 762 million won ($704,900) in property damage, the National Emergency Management Agency said Sunday.

A total of 39,287 fires occurred in November, down 1.4 percent from the same month last year, according to the agency.

However, there were 1,940 casualties reported, up 17 percent from a year earlier. It added fires claimed 215 lives and left 1,725 inured.

The agency estimated the total monthly property damage from fire at 254.5 billion won, up 11.2 percent from last November.

“We saw the jump in the number of fires last month when it was unusually cold compared with previous years,” an agency official said.

He called on people to be extra-careful about fire risks as the use of heating devices is expected to increase further due to cold spells this winter.

The agency attributed 47 percent of fire outbreaks in the previous month to carelessness. Other reasons were short circuits at 23.6 percent and glitches in heaters or other household products at 9.7 percent.

Thirty-four percent of carelessness-triggered fires were caused by cigarettes, followed by fires breaking out while cooking (14 percent) and burning garbage (12 percent).

The agency said 35.7 percent of the fires took place between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 28.8 percent of the deaths were reported between midnight and 4 a.m.

It said it is important to check power switches and city gas valves before going to bed in order to prevent fires.

It plans to provide smoke alarms and fire extinguishers for households, especially poor families or the elderly living alone.

The agency has also promised to keep a closer eye on fire-prone buildings and facilities as part of its efforts to help people stay safe this winter.