Qatar’s General Directorate of Civil Defence has reported a decline in fire incidents amid enhanced prevention efforts during the summer months, officials said. The agency has intensified public awareness campaigns and emphasized adherence to safety requirements to decrease risks to lives and property.

Staff Major Eng. Ghanem Salem Al Nuaimi, director of the Prevention Department at the General Directorate of Civil Defence, highlighted that reducing fire occurrences in residential buildings and shopping centres depends largely on public commitment to safety regulations and the consistent maintenance of fire detection and suppression systems by building owners. He urged residents to avoid overloading electrical connections and to regularly inspect electrical wiring and household appliances to prevent potential hazards.

For commercial properties, Al Nuaimi stressed the significance of keeping emergency exits and corridors unobstructed, training personnel in fire response protocols, and promptly reporting any incidents through the emergency number 999 or via the “Contact Us” feature on the Metrash app. According to Al Nuaimi, some of the most common safety violations include blocking emergency exits by using them for storage, failing to maintain fire protection systems, overloading electrical networks, and leaving cooking or heat sources unattended.

Efforts to foster collaboration between government agencies and private sector entities have been strengthened to ensure safety becomes an integral part of daily practice rather than merely a set of instructions. The Civil Defence continues to enforce technical safety requirements through its Civil Defence Technical Requirements Guide, initially introduced in 2022, which sets standards for building safety.

Additionally, Staff Colonel Mohammed Abdul Karim Al Qahtani, assistant director of the Operations Department, reported a significant reduction in vehicle fire incidents during the first half of this year compared with the same period in the previous year. He attributed this improvement to increased public awareness prompted by targeted campaigns and consistent vehicle maintenance.

Despite the positive trend, Al Qahtani cautioned that certain risks remain insufficiently addressed by motorists. These ongoing hazards include fuel leaks, unusual odors, and engine overheating, which require greater attention to further reduce fire incidents involving vehicles.