UAE: Nearly half of fires took place in residences in Dubai during 1H
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Oct 2016
The number of fires which broke out in residential properties in Dubai during the first half of this year stood at 91, or 46% of the 199 total number of fires reported in the emirate during the period.
In comparison, the number of fires in residential properties in the first half of 2015 was 189, or 44% of the total number of fires in Dubai during the period, according to Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroushi, Director General of Dubai Civil Defence. In the first six months of 2014, there were 160 fires in homes or 46% of the total number of fires, reported Hamrin News.
He said that most of the fires occurred due to human error, and the fire incidence rate can be reduced through raising awareness of the risks involved and commitment to prevention and safety requirements.
He added that the majority of homes and apartments in the emirate is not insured against fire hazards due to lack of awareness about insurance and lack of marketing of this service by insurance companies. There is low penetration of fire insurance despite the fact that the annual premium to secure a home against fire in the local market does not exceed AED1,000 (US$272) per year.
AED1 = US$0.27