Effective the New Year, authorities are expected to swing into action to enforce the new fire safety regulations six months after they were published.

A recent report indicated that most building owners were yet to adjust their structures or make the necessary purchases in accordance with the new rules.

While fires have not been a regular occurrence in recent days, we have continued to witness intermittent fires here and there – due to same old causes. One such incident was on Saturday in Huye District where a carpentry workshop, worth about Rwf25 million, went up in smoke due to suspected short circuit. And, as in most other cases, the business had no insurance cover!

It is totally unacceptable that some public and commercial entities are not taking the fire safety regulations seriously. 

We must learn from our past experiences and appreciate that fires are a real threat to businesses and the economy. It is a national duty to ensure that precautionary measures are taken, respected and enforced.

Some of the requirements are really basic; take the example of business premises or public facilities that lack fire extinguishers or those that have faulty tools. Or lack of emergency exits in most public buildings.

Indeed, it’s alarming that many of the buildings inspected were found without fire extinguishers, including hospitals and government facilities! While it is understandable that some of the equipment or minimum requirements might be expensive for some people, it should not be an excuse for sitting back, arms folded.

To prevent fire outbreaks at public buildings, public spaces, as well as transport and storage facilities, authorities should make sure that such places have embraced newly rolled out safety rules by January 1.

All necessary measures must be taken to ensure that this is done because the cost of acting to prevent fire incidents is far less expensive than dealing with the consequences when they occur.