The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has called on members of the public to strengthen fire prevention measures following the continued occurrence of fire and fire-related incidents across the country.
In a statement issued by Principal Public Relations Officer Liseli Kanyanga, the Ministry reminded Zambians that fire prevention is a shared responsibility and urged citizens to exercise greater caution in their homes, workplaces, and communities.
According to the Ministry, local authority fire brigades responded to 1,601 emergency incidents between January 1 and May 31, 2026. The emergencies included 867 fire and fire-related incidents and 734 special service emergencies.
The Ministry disclosed that Lusaka City recorded the highest number of emergencies, with 214 incidents, highlighting the growing need for improved fire safety awareness and preparedness.
Ms. Kanyanga said the Ministry is concerned that many of the recorded incidents were preventable and attributed most of the fires to negligence.
She explained that common causes include the improper handling of electrical appliances, unattended cooking, poor waste management, bush burning, fuel-related mishandling, and the unsafe use of candles.
“The Ministry urges the public to maintain electrical installations, avoid overloading sockets, extinguish candles before leaving rooms or sleeping, supervise cooking, dispose of waste responsibly and keep matches and lighters away from children,” Ms. Kanyanga said.
She further noted that as temperatures continue to drop and many households increasingly rely on alternative lighting and heating sources, members of the public should remain extra vigilant to reduce the risk of accidental fires.
The Ministry also advised households and businesses to regularly inspect electrical systems, avoid unsafe practices that could trigger fires, and promptly report emergencies to local authority fire brigades.
Ms. Kanyanga commended local authority fire brigades across the country for their commitment and professionalism in responding to emergencies despite the increasing number of incidents.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting safer communities through enhanced public awareness and strengthened fire prevention initiatives.
The Ministry has since appealed to all citizens to play their part in preventing avoidable fires, stressing that collective responsibility is key to safeguarding lives, property, and communities across Zambia.
