"Fire Department": Handled 8,282 reports in the first half of 2026
Maj. Gen. Muhammad Al-Gharib, the official spokesperson for the General Fire and Rescue Force, confirmed that fire and rescue teams handled 8,282 out of 8,751 reports across all governorates of the country during the first half of 2026.
In an interview with KUNA, Maj. Gen. Al-Gharib stated that the reports included 3,171 rescue calls, 2,545 good-faith reports, 2,159 fire reports, 819 general service requests, and 57 other incidents.
He added that the total number of fire reports reached 2,159, distributed among 629 fires in residential areas, 314 in non-residential areas, 432 incidents involving land transport, and 778 in other areas, in addition to five aviation incidents and one land-based incident.
He clarified that the total number of rescue reports handled by fire teams and other agencies reached 3,432, with the majority occurring in Al-Ahmadi Governorate. On the awareness front, Maj. Gen. Al-Gharib emphasized the importance of adhering to safety and fire prevention requirements, noting that electrical faults were among the most common causes of fires during the period in question.
He called on citizens and residents to conduct regular maintenance of electrical wiring and connections, engage specialized technicians, and avoid overloading electrical outlets and connections or using non-compliant wiring and appliances.
He stressed the necessity of not leaving electrical appliances and equipment unattended, disconnecting power to unused devices, and taking any signs of electrical malfunction, burning odors, or smoke emission seriously.
He noted that compliance with safety and prevention measures directly contributes to reducing the outbreak of fires and protecting lives and property, urging the public to contact the relevant authorities promptly in the event of any emergency.
He highlighted the importance of installing smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in homes and facilities, ensuring they are in working order and easily accessible, and familiarizing family members and staff with their proper use. He affirmed that the presence of alarm systems and initial firefighting equipment can help detect fires early and limit their spread before fire teams arrive.
Al-Gharib warned against leaving children unattended near electrical sources, flames, or hot appliances, and against storing flammable materials near heat sources. He urged the public to store gas cylinders and chemical substances in appropriate, well-ventilated locations that are out of children’s reach.
