CAUSE AND EFFECT- THE KARMA OF A FIRE

CAUSE AND EFFECT- THE KARMA OF A FIRE

Of all accidents and mishaps that mankind faces, be they natural or man-made, the most common, repetitive and destructive ones are triggered by fire. Be it public places, private places or even forests and jungles, once a fire gets out of hand the results are hugely damaging. So what causes a fire?
It is easy to understand that the common home fire hazard could be traced to the kitchen. Putting something to cook and forgetting it. Like if you get a call while cooking and get side-tracked from the fire and get engrossed in talking the fire you just light could be the last you ever light. You cannot afford to be callous when the gas is on.
Smokers are walking talking fire hazards and the slogan “Smoking is injurious to health” acquires an additional new meaning here other than the medical one. A casually extinguished stub or an accidental dropping of a lighted cigarette on the bed or on the carpet or any such flammable surface can be disastrous.
In the office space or the workplace, if you will, short circuit is a fire starter. Offices are not occupied 24x7 and there are long periods where there is no human presence in the premises or at least, marginal human presence. The short circuit can happen anytime and go undetected till such time that everyone outside gets to see the billowing smoke or the scorching flames.
One cannot discount the deliberate cases of arson. Here people actually trigger a fire to cause destruction or death. Terrorists, robbers or insurance fraudsters are the most likely suspects in arson cases as also people who want revenge or retribution for some real or perceived wrong done to them.
Lighting candles for religious or festive purposes can also be invitation to a fire. Once a candle is lit, even if it does not cause a fire immediately, it is not under surveillance till it burns down totally. Therefore, at every stage one odd swing in the wind pattern may tilt the flame to light something else. Sometimes the candle may break and fall on the surface which may have a cloth covering or be of wood allowing for an unnecessary fire accident.
The use of electronic equipment or appliances that plug into the electrical network in enclosed premises can trigger a massive fire within minutes. Therefore, regular maintenance of wiring, plug points and connecting devices become highly important.
Fires can be furtive and cheeky. They are silent and have the nature to spread and grow at phenomenal speed. Fires are like Karma-cause and effect - and both happen almost simultaneously in many cases.