KUWAIT CITY, Aug 7: The Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) responded to 1,304 fire reports across residential and non-residential areas in all six governorates during the first half of 2025, according to Brigadier Mohammad Al-Gharib, Director of Public Relations and Media at KFSD.

In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Thursday, Al-Gharib revealed that Hawalli Governorate recorded the highest number of fire reports with 215, followed by Mubarak Al-Kabeer with 202, Ahmadi with 195, Farwaniya with 183, the Capital with 171, and Jahra with 147.

Kuwait Fire Service logs surge in emergencies across all governorates in the first half of 2025.

Brigadier Mohammad Al-Gharib, Director of Public Relations and Media at KFSD

Al-Gharib stated that in total, 1,648 fire incidents were recorded during this period, along with 3,532 rescue operations and 2,538 good-faith reports, indicating a high level of preparedness and sustained effort by firefighting teams across the country.

The Fire Service also dealt with 18 fatalities resulting from drowning or body recovery operations—14 handled directly by the fire brigades, while four were transferred to other competent authorities.

Addressing the causes of fires, Al-Gharib noted that electrical overloads were responsible for 118 incidents, while 169 fires resulted from children playing with heat sources or flammable materials. An additional 159 incidents were due to deliberate or semi-deliberate causes.

He emphasized that the KFSD had implemented a proactive and integrated emergency response plan during the first half of the year. This strategy allowed for rapid intervention and effective incident management while safeguarding lives and property. Al-Gharib praised the efficiency of operational plans and the high state of readiness among firefighting teams.

The reported cases varied in nature, ranging from residential fires to blazes in industrial and commercial facilities, and included rescue operations on roads and at multiple locations. Al-Gharib affirmed that all incidents were addressed by the highest international standards in firefighting and emergency response.

Calling for greater public involvement, Al-Gharib urged citizens and residents to adhere to safety guidelines and promptly report emergencies, underlining that “safety is a collective responsibility.”

He also warned of the increased risk of electrical short circuits, particularly during the summer months, due to heightened demand on power systems from heavy appliance usage. Al-Gharib called on the public to inspect electrical connections, avoid using worn-out wires, and not to overload sockets, stressing that negligence or mishandling of electrical devices could result in serious consequences.

The KFSD continues to operate at a high level of readiness, aiming to prevent disasters and ensure the protection of lives and property through swift action, public awareness, and community cooperation.