News: Fighting fires in Kinshasa: a major challenge for the safety of residents and property
Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is regularly confronted with devastating fires which endanger the safety of residents and the protection of their property. The numerous cases of fires that have occurred in recent years have revealed the weaknesses of the city’s fire-fighting system, highlighting the lack of resources and the demotivation of the personnel responsible for fighting these disasters.
The fires which spread to emblematic places such as the Matadi-Kibala market, the Liberty market and the University of Kinshasa were all marked by the same helplessness of the fire services. Firefighting vehicles are rare, work equipment is insufficient, and numerous obstacles hinder their rapid and effective intervention. Without functioning fire hydrants, firefighters often find themselves short of water, unable to control the flames.
This alarming situation is partly explained by the lack of resources allocated to the Kinshasa fire brigade. The firefighters are poorly equipped, and their motivation is severely tested by recurring salary delays. Faced with this reality, the inhabitants of Kinshasa find themselves helpless in the event of a fire, trying as best they can to save what can be saved with the means at hand.
This situation highlights the lack of fire prevention and firefighting policy in Kinshasa. Although the city once had an efficient fire brigade, the system has deteriorated over the years. Fire hydrants are often blocked or disconnected from the water supply network, and safety and town planning standards are not respected.
The urban markets of Kinshasa, for their part, operate in precarious conditions, with wooden stalls and fragile deposits likely to catch fire at the slightest incident. It is urgent to rethink the security of these sales spaces and to put in place effective systems to prevent fires and ensure the safety of traders and their property.
It is therefore imperative that the Kinshasa authorities take concrete measures to strengthen the city’s fire protection system. This involves the acquisition of new adapted vehicles, the provision of adequate equipment, the continuing training of firefighters and the establishment of a network of functional fire hydrants. It is also essential to invest in raising residents’ awareness of fire prevention measures and encouraging compliance with safety and town planning standards.
The safety of residents and the protection of their property must be priorities for the authorities in Kinshasa. It is time to act to effectively fight fires and ensure a safe environment for everyone.