The fires in Kinshasa: an alarming situation that requires urgent measures
The city of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is facing a series of serious fires which highlight the shortcomings and flaws of the fire-fighting system. Several sites, such as the Matadi-Kibala market, the Liberty market, Camp Lufungula, the Ngaba roundabout market and the Onatra Building, were affected by these devastating disasters. Unfortunately, the city’s fire departments often find themselves helpless and helpless in the face of these disasters, due to a lack of adequate equipment and insufficient financial resources.
The Kinshasa fire brigade, supposed to be the first line of defense against fires, faces many problems. Not only does it struggle to get to disaster sites quickly due to the lack of suitable vehicles, but it also finds itself short of water during its interventions, due to the low capacity of tankers and the shortage fire hydrants in certain neighborhoods. This dramatic situation leaves firefighters powerless and the inhabitants of Kinshasa without real protection in the event of a fire.
In reality, there is no real fire policy in the city of Kinshasa. Safety and town planning standards which require the presence of fire hydrants and fire extinguishers in buildings are not respected. In addition, Kinshasa’s urban markets, mainly located in the streets, are extremely vulnerable to fires due to the precarious infrastructure and the absence of adequate prevention measures.
Faced with this worrying situation, it is urgent that measures be taken to strengthen the fire-fighting system in Kinshasa. This involves investing in the acquisition of new firefighting vehicles, providing firefighters with the necessary equipment, and establishing a functioning fire hydrant network throughout the city. Additionally, it is essential to raise awareness about fire prevention measures and implement higher safety standards for urban markets.
It is time for the authorities to realize the urgency of the situation and act to ensure the safety and protection of the inhabitants of Kinshasa. Because each fire that ravages the city not only causes considerable material losses, but also tragic human losses. It is time for prevention and safety to become top priorities in order to avoid further tragedies and save lives.