News of a fire at a wedding ceremony in Iraq broke the hearts of millions of followers. Not only in our Arab world, but all over the world, especially the emergence of photos and videos from the scene of the accident and the increasing number of victims, prompting many to describe this matter as a real “catastrophe”. “

A fire has broken out at a wedding hall in a city in northern Iraq, and authorities say it was caused by “firecrackers” and highly flammable building materials. At least 100 people were killed, and more than 150 were injured, according to the untold numbers released by authorities.

At the time of the fire, there were about 900 guests in the hall, which did not meet safety requirements, the interior ministry said.

Here we all have the following question: “How do we react in case of fire in a closed space?”

In his interview with Asharq Al-Awsad, Michael Saliba, an expert in charge of managing the “Internal Rescue and Fire Training School” at the Central Operations Headquarters of the Lebanese Civil Defense, explains that it is important not to immediately panic when an explosion is felt. Try to focus on the fire, and the action, and exit as quietly as possible.

According to the Lebanese civil defense official, the basic steps to follow include:

– Do not immediately rush towards the main door, especially if you are far away.

– Try to stay calm and not panic, focus on knowing the evacuation plan.

– Checking emergency exits (EXIT), and trying to hear the evacuation plan. This happens by observing the instructions of the authorities within the place.

– When calculating the exits, you can go to the nearest door and exit through it without participating in the crowd.

– Creating awareness among people by informing them of the need to go to emergency exits closest to them and not to the main door.

– Try to use an emergency extinguisher if you find it near you, but without adding time, especially if the situation worsens.

It is important not to hide in an enclosed space because of the lack of oxygen that comes with any fire outbreak.

– Jump out of the window in emergency situations only if the situation permits (low floor).

– Do not participate in firefighting unless you have firefighting training and knowledge of the subject. Because any wrong methods can increase the damage, not the other way around.

The importance of awareness and preparedness

Saliba emphasizes that to avoid loss of life in the event of a fire, it is necessary to spread awareness in communities about how to react during these incidents and create an emergency plan that can be easily implemented in all indoor locations.

The expert continued: “It is essential that every indoor hall, restaurant or conference hall has a clear plan for evacuation of people in case of fire, which includes emergency extinguishers (at least two) and emergency exits appropriate to the location. .”

Saliba explained, “For example, if the hall can accommodate 100 people, exits should be equipped so that one person can leave every 3 seconds. Therefore, the number or size of exits should be increased according to the number of people the hall will accommodate. .”

He pointed out the importance of creating awareness among students in schools and stressed that personnel everywhere should follow the instructions posted on the website of the Department of Civil Defense on a seasonal basis. Emergency evacuations around them.

The expert also touched on the need for “internal security officials to keep pace with new technology and construction materials.” He said, “There are devices that are automatically activated when there is a fire and we have to follow the new materials used in construction to find out how dangerous they are and try to make an emergency plan after studying the materials. The time it takes for them to ignite.”

Fire inside the house

If the fire is inside the house, for example, the “YAZA Public Safety” organization in Lebanon says, via its website, that the characteristics and source must first be determined; To know the behavior to follow.

He points out that a person should be calm, courageous and self-controlled.

In the event of a house fire, one should act according to the following steps according to YASA: protection, evacuation, reporting and extinguishing. In the event of a fire, you should immediately think about ensuring personal safety, not exposing yourself to danger, evacuating the building directly away from the occupants through escape routes and not using electric elevators.

Then call the emergency numbers and report the accident.

Yasa explains that if the fire exceeds the controllable level, you should evacuate immediately, don’t be distracted by putting on clothes or taking valuables to save your life.

The group explains that after leaving the house, all doors must be closed; Because air currents entering from doors and windows increase the intensity of fire.

However, if the person has no way out of the house, he should not jump from the windows unless he is on the ground or first floor. If he is on higher floors, he should wait near a window to attract the attention of firemen until he is rescued, and he should not return to the house until the fire is completely extinguished.