Bursali commends owner cooperation in removing safety violations after Mangaf fire

Brigadier General Omar Bursali, Kuwait Fire Force Director of the Hawalli Governorate Department, has praised building owners in investment housing areas for cooperating and removing safety violations, particularly after the Mangaf fire in May last year. He attributed the decline in violations to stricter enforcement by the Fire Force.

In light of scheduled power cuts by the Ministry of Electricity and Water, Bursali urged residents to avoid using elevators during power outages, especially in high-rise buildings, and advised building owners to train guards in manually operating elevators during such times, reports Al-Rai daily.

He emphasized the Fire Force’s readiness, highlighting its advanced firefighting equipment, including one of the world’s tallest fire ladders, modern boats, and helicopters. The Hawalli department, he said, employs 315 firefighters across four centers and operates 30 fire engines, responding to emergencies within five minutes.

Bursali said Hawalli has the highest number of violations in the governorate but has seen improvement thanks to active inspections, warnings, and closures for serious offenses. Common violations include the absence or poor maintenance of firefighting systems, blocked emergency exits, excessive partitions, and illegal construction—all of which obstruct firefighting efforts and increase fire risk.

He also warned against overloading electrical systems or using counterfeit appliances, which are frequent causes of summer fires. Additionally, he urged regular vehicle maintenance to prevent fires from fuel leaks or faulty systems.

For home safety, Bursali recommended installing smoke detectors, keeping fire extinguishers, training family and domestic workers in emergency procedures, and knowing how to respond to gas leaks or fires by using extinguishers, opening windows, and using emergency exits.