The Jigawa Command of the Federal Fire Service has cautioned residents of the state against indiscriminate bush burning during the harmattan period.

Command spokesman Jamilu Habibu gave the warning in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Dutse.

Mr Habibu said that the warning became necessary in order to avoid fire disasters during the dry season, as most of the houses in rural communities were thatched and could easily catch fire.

He said the command would continue to sensitise the public on the dangers posed by the harmattan winds while urging farmers to avoid the indiscriminate setting of bushes ablaze as they prepared their farmlands for another farming season.

He advised food vendors and housewives across the state to ensure that they quench fires they used to cook, to avoid any fire outbreaks.

“Also, people must be conscious when using candles, kerosene lanterns in their homes, as they are capable of igniting a fire.

“We must also be careful using fire to warm our rooms during the harmattan. This is because sometimes fire incidents occurred by leaving an ignited firewood.

“We are also advising people to make sure that they switch off electrical appliances before leaving their houses to avoid fires that can happen as a result of a power surge,’’ Mr Habibu added. 

Several buildings and markets have been recently gutted by fire across the state. Some residents attributed the fires to pyromaniacs, but the government nonetheless imposed additional requirements for structural layouts across the state.

(NAN)