MULTAN, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 28th Aug, 2026) Rescue and safety experts have stressed the need for effective fire safety measures, regular inspections and practical evacuation drills in public and private buildings to minimise loss of life and property during fire emergencies.
Talking to media on Friday,Rescue and Safety Officer Arshad Bhutta said that fire safety should be treated as a continuous responsibility rather than a formality,urging building owners and managements to ensure functional fire alarms,appropriate fire extinguishers, emergency lighting and clearly marked emergency exits.
He said regular evacuation drills were essential to prepare people for emergencies,as panic and confusion could significantly hamper evacuation during an actual fire incident.
“When people have already practised an evacuation procedure, they are more likely to remain organised and move towards designated safe areas instead of creating panic and confusion,” he said.
Arshad Bhutta stressed that firefighting equipment should not only be installed but also regularly inspected,tested and maintained to ensure its functionality when required.
He said emergency exits,stairways and corridors must remain clear at all times and should never be used for storing merchandise,furniture or other materials.
He advised occupants to use designated emergency exits and stairs instead of lifts during a fire,as elevators could become unsafe due to smoke,power failure or malfunction.
He said evacuees should proceed to a predetermined assembly point after leaving the building,where designated staff could conduct a headcount and determine whether anyone remained inside.
The safety officer said evacuation drills should begin with activation of the fire alarm and include an orderly evacuation under the guidance of trained staff.
He said such drills should assess the accessibility of emergency exits,the time required to evacuate the premises,staff responsibilities and the suitability of the designated assembly point.
“Management should review every drill and identify weaknesses that require corrective measures,” he added.
He said hospitals required special fire safety arrangements because many patients,particularly those in intensive care, elderly people, children and persons with disabilities could not evacuate without assistance.
Hospital staff,he added,should receive practical training in patient evacuation,movement priorities and coordination with emergency responders.
He further pointed out that hospitals should incorporate oxygen supplies,medical equipment and other potential hazards into their fire safety plans.
Regarding markets and commercial buildings,Arshad Bhutta said electrical overloading,faulty wiring,generators, gas cylinders,combustible materials and densely packed merchandise increased the risk of fire.
He urged shopkeepers and market administrations to ensure regular inspection of electrical systems,avoid overloading circuits and keep emergency routes unobstructed.
He said fire extinguishers should be placed at easily accessible locations and staff should be trained in their proper use while cautioning that no person should risk their life attempting to control a fire beyond their capacity.
In case of a fire,he advised people to immediately raise the alarm, inform the relevant emergency service and evacuate the building if the fire could not be safely controlled.
He said people should move quickly but calmly towards the nearest safe exit,avoid smoke-filled areas and never return to the building to collect belongings.
He emphasised that evacuees should remain at the designated assembly point and should not re-enter the building until emergency personnel declared it safe.
The safety officer said fire prevention and preparedness were a shared responsibility of building owners, managements,security personnel,employees and the general public.
He stressed that regular inspections,staff training,emergency preparedness and practical evacuation exercises could significantly reduce casualties and property losses during fire incidents.
“Preparedness can begin long before the first alarm sounds,”he said,adding that prevention,preparedness and a well-practised evacuation plan remained essential tools for protecting lives
