Cigarette-caused fires on sharp rise

The number of fires in Seoul caused by discarded cigarette butts has increased over the past three years, leading to calls to get tougher with those carelessly tossing cigarettes away.

On Wednesday, the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters (SMFDH) released data showing that cigarette-related fires between January and August this year numbered 959, a 25 percent rise from 744 in the same time period in 2011.

A total of 1,153 such cases were reported last year, up 24 percent from 929 in 2010.

Carelessly discarded cigarette butts have become a major cause of fires, according to the SMFDH.

The number of fires in the capital was 5,321 in 2010 and 5,526 in 2011, and cigarette-related accidents accounted for 18 and 21 percent, respectively.

“It would be easy to say that one of four fires per day is caused by the reckless littering of cigarette butts,” an officer said.

Cigarette-related fires between 2010 and 2011 claimed the lives of five people and injured 21, causing property damage of a combined 1.3 billion won ($1.1 million).

These fires broke out most frequently in open areas, at a rate of 32.7 percent, followed by in houses and apartments at 26.2 percent, office buildings at 10.6 percent, and restaurants with 8.4 percent.

According to the city’s fire prevention service, spring is the most fire-prone season, with more than one-third of cigarette-related fires each year taking place between March and May.

The agency said smokers should be careful when they toss cigarette butts to prevent possible accidents. It added the city government should strengthen its regulations to impose heavier fines on those who throw discarded cigarettes on the street. <The Korea Times/Yi Whan-woo>

news@theasian.asia