Slums of Kolkata are considered the most vulnerable areas in the city where fire frequently breaks out. Every year, slum fires are reported in the city, rendering hundreds homeless.
“The shanties are constructed with bamboos, plastic, wood, old worn-out bed sheets and bed covers, all of which, are highly combustible substances. On top of that the residents cook their meals in their shanties and most of them store kerosene. Illegal hooking from electric posts is also rampant in the slums. All these add to their vulnerability to catch fires.
The state government fire and emergency services department had decided to involve slum-dwellers to arranged a workshop to train them in fire-fighting and to spread awareness, but it is difficult to educate the slum dwellers on preventing fire as their economic condition forces them to use combustible materials to build their shanties.