Building Fire

Definition

A building fire is an uncontrolled fire occurring inside residential, commercial, or industrial structures, causing damage to property, environment, and potential loss of life.

Causes of Building Fire

• Electrical faults: short circuits, overloaded wiring, malfunctioning appliances.
• Cooking-related accidents: unattended stoves, oil fires.
• Combustible materials: improper storage of flammable liquids, chemicals.
• Gas leaks: LPG leakage leading to explosions and fire.
• Human negligence: smoking indoors, burning candles, or careless handling of fire.
• Industrial hazards: machinery overheating, sparks, welding works.

Effects of Building Fire

• Loss of life and injuries from burns and smoke inhalation.
• Property destruction, including homes, offices, and equipment.
• Air pollution due to toxic smoke and gases.
• Economic losses and disruption of business or livelihoods.
• Psychological trauma among survivors.

Prevention Measures

• Install smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinkler systems.
• Regular inspection of electrical wiring and appliances.
• Safe storage of flammable materials.
• Proper ventilation in kitchens and industrial units.
• Training occupants in fire safety and emergency evacuation.
• Maintain fire extinguishers and ensure easy access.

Emergency Response

• Call the fire department immediately.
• Use fire extinguishers for small fires (Class A, B, C based on type).
• Follow evacuation routes and avoid elevators.
• Help vulnerable individuals (children, elderly).
• Stop, drop, and roll if clothes catch fire.
• Firefighters extinguish the fire and conduct rescue operations.

Coal Fire

Definition; A coal fire is a continuous, uncontrolled burning of coal seams—either underground or on the surface—caused by natural factors or human activities.
These fires can burn for years to centuries, releasing toxic gases and causing land degradation.

Types of Coal Fires

Underground Coal Fires

• Occur in coal seams below the surface.
• Difficult to detect and extinguish.
• Common in coal mining regions.

Surface Coal Fires

• Occur in coal stockpiles, waste dumps, or exposed coal seams.
• Often caused by sunlight, sparks, or human activities.

Causes of Coal Fires

• Spontaneous combustion of coal due to oxidation (common in coal mines).
• Mining activities, such as blasting or exposing coal seams.
• Abandoned mines, where trapped coal ignites over time.
• Lightning strikes or natural forest fires reaching coal seams.
• Human activities, such as burning waste near coal deposits.

Effects of Coal Fires

• Environmental Effects Release of toxic gases (CO, SO₂, methane). Air pollution, smog, and greenhouse gas emissions. Soil and water contamination. Land subsidence and surface cracks.
• Health Effects Respiratory issues due to inhalation of smoke and pollutants. Risk of accidents due to collapsing ground.
• Economic Impacts Loss of valuable coal resources. Damage to mining infrastructure. Costly firefighting and land reclamation measures.
• Social Impacts Displacement of communities living near coal fields. Loss of livelihood for miners.

Control and Management Measures

• Isolation of burning areas by creating firebreaks.
• Inert gas injection (nitrogen/CO₂) to cut off oxygen supply.
• Flooding or sealing abandoned mines to cool the fire.
• Excavation of burning coal and replacing with non-combustible material.
• Continuous monitoring of temperature and gas emissions.
• Improved mining safety and proper waste disposal.

Example Jharia Coalfield (Jharkhand, India): One of the world’s oldest and largest underground coal fires, burning for over 100 years.