From January to September this year, there were 1,352 reported outbreaks of fire nationwide, according to Myanmar Fire Service Department (headquarters).

During these nine months, there were 451 negligence fires, 271 stove fires, 19 auto fires, 343 electric shocks, 201 arsons, 60 forest fires, two arson attacks by insurgents, one lighting strike and four under-investigation cases.

There were 190 case in January, 215 in February, 268 in March, 188 in April, 178 in May, 81 in June, 65 in July, 73 in August and 94 in September.

There were 184 fire outbreaks in Yangon, 162 in Mandalay, 84 in Kachin, nine in Kayah, 32 in Kayin, 18 in Chin, 138 in Sagaing, 35 in Tanintharyi, 46 in Nay Pyi Taw, 93 in Bago, 126 in Magway, 59 in Mon, 75 in Rakhine, 140 in Shan and 151in Ayeyawady.

In his speech at the ceremony to mark the 72nd Myanmar Fire Services Day, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe said: “In addition to fire, the people are experiencing natural disasters such as storms, floods, earthquakes, the dangers of other chemicals, bio and radioactive materials as the county sees rapid development and lifestyle changes. The MFSD needs to undergo training for it.”

Fires destroyed 1894 houses, 18 factories and 31 warehouses, resulting in a loss of over Ks4,200 million, killing 40 people and affecting over 4,700 people.