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YEI - 26 Jan 2020

Yei residents warned against misuse of fire

Civil defense director in Yei River State, Thomas Gele (Radio Tamazuj)
Civil defense director in Yei River State, Thomas Gele (Radio Tamazuj)

A civil defense official in South Sudan’s Yei River State has warned local residents against the misuse of fire during the dry season.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, Thomas Gele, the state director of civil defense service said his office has recorded several cases of fire outbreaks within residential areas in the past months.

He urged the public to ensure that fire objects are properly managed.

Gele appealed to the management of Yei electric power plant to ensure buildings within residential areas are properly connected. “I also want people to create fire lines around their homes and in some areas of Yei town,” he said.

The official further cautioned the public against storing fuel like petrol in residential areas, saying it puts lives of people at high risk.

“I have banned fuel stations from selling petrol in jerrycans and containers to people. I want to tell the public not to store petrol in their houses because if anything happens, it will be dangerous,” he said.

Gele decried the lack of firefighting equipment and trucks to respond to emergencies in case of any fire outbreak.

He appealed to the national government to ensure fire extinguishers are supplied to the state.