KUWAIT: The Kuwait Fire Force (KFF) responded to a total of 1,304 fire reports in residential and non-residential areas across all six governorates during the first half of 2025, said Brigadier General Mohammad Al-Gharib, Director of the Public Relations and Media Department at KFF. In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Thursday, Al-Gharib noted that Hawally Governorate recorded the highest number of fire reports with 215, followed by Mubarak Al-Kabeer with 202, Ahmadi with 195, Farwaniya with 183, the Capital with 171, and Jahra with 147.
Al-Gharib revealed that the total number of incidents handled by the Fire Department during the same period reached 1,648, including 3,532 rescue operations and 2,538 reports made in good faith. He said these figures reflect the volume of work and the high level of preparedness demonstrated by firefighting teams across the country. He added that fire brigades also handled 18 cases involving fatalities from drowning or body recovery, with 14 cases directly managed by fire teams and four referred to relevant authorities.
Among the leading causes of fires during this period were electrical overloads, which accounted for 118 incidents, while 169 cases were linked to children tampering with heat sources or flammable materials. Another 159 incidents were classified as intentional or semi-intentional fires. Al-Gharib stressed that the Fire Department implemented a proactive and integrated plan during the first half of the year, allowing teams to respond swiftly to emergencies and effectively contain fires while safeguarding lives and property. He praised the operational efficiency and readiness of the force.
The types of incidents reported ranged from house fires and blazes at industrial and commercial facilities to rescue operations on roads and various locations. All cases were addressed in accordance with international best practices in firefighting and emergency response, he affirmed. Al-Gharib underscored the importance of public cooperation in adhering to safety instructions, urging both citizens and residents to report emergencies promptly and contribute to the protection of lives and property. “Safety is a shared responsibility,” he said.
He also warned of the heightened risk of electrical short circuits, particularly during summer, due to increased pressure on electrical networks from heavy use of appliances. He called on the public to check the safety of electrical connections, avoid using damaged wires, and refrain from overloading sockets, stressing that negligence in handling electrical devices could have dangerous consequences. – KUNA
