Last year, Lepel district experienced 42 fires, which is two fewer than in the previous year. However, unfortunately, last year's merciless flames claimed the lives of nine people, which is four more than in 2010. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of the causes of ignition indicates that most people tragically died in the fire primarily due to their own extreme carelessness with fire, as they were intoxicated and smoked tobacco very carelessly.
A particular tragedy that fires periodically bring is the death of children in them. Such grief cannot be expressed in words; it is boundless, immeasurable. And, most sadly, it is usually the tragic result of the irresponsible attitude of adults – mothers or fathers who leave children at home alone, without any supervision. Young children find matches by chance, start playing with fire, and endanger not only property in the house but also their own lives. The tragic incident that occurred on January 25th of this year in the village of Vyalikaye Syalo, Sharkawshchyna district, was no exception to this "devilish" rule. A fire that broke out in the house of local resident Volha Kazlouskaya due to children playing with fire quickly engulfed the entire wooden structure, leading to the collapse of building structures. The prompt arrival of local rescuers at the scene of the emergency, equipped with all necessary equipment, and their effective actions to contain the raging flames did not save the situation. In the smoky ruins, among the wooden debris left by the merciless fire, the lifeless bodies of two four-year-old children, Valiantsin and Ryhor, were found.
May this tragic incident serve as a final warning to those who underestimate the real danger that arises from leaving young children at home completely alone, without adult supervision, and who do not take adequate measures to store matches in places inaccessible to children.
Valiantsin LAVETS,
Deputy Head of the District Department for Emergency Situations