Post-incident view

The fire that broke out Sunday morning at Abu Sefein Church in Giza neighbourhood of Imbaba was indeed a tragic accident, as President Abdel Fattah El Sisi described it.

Although state bodies including civil defence and ambulances quickly arrived at the scene of the incident, the death toll was 41 because worshippers were gathering for Sunday morning mass. Moreover, a number of children were among the dead because the church had a daycare facility.

According to health ministry statements, heavy smoke and a stampede resulting from fear and panic while the trapped were trying to escape were behind the deaths.

It must be said that the response of bodies concerned was faster than usual and the civil defence forces were able to contain the fire before it spread to neighbouring buildings in the densely populated location of the church.

There was prompt and close follow up by state officials up from President Sisi himself to Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli and ministers concerned.  Quick decisions were also taken by the government in terms of indemnities for families of the dead and the injured. The concern practically expressed by state institutions was expressive of the new state orientation in dealing with crises and paying due respect to the integrity of its citizens.

The incident has actually triggered heart-felt empathy across the nation. It is in such calamities that Egyptians show their genuine co-operative nature and unity. The cohesive social fabric of society prompts neighbours, whether Muslims or Christians, to extend a helping hand to each other. When the fire broke out on Sunday, everyone rushed to save lives and to transfer the victims in their cars to the nearest hospitals.

According to investigations, the fire broke out in a second-floor airconditioning unit because of an electrical failure. This is likely to happen anywhere and anytime. However, in order to avoid the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents in any commercial buildings or worship places, basic safety measures dictate the installation of fire alarm systems.

These systems allow a chance for quick and safe evacuation of the building until the arrival of firefighters. The presence of such systems is all the more important in crowded areas and packed commercial hubs such as in the popular marketplace of Al Attaba, which had previously witnessed huge fires.

This week’s incident stressed the importance of conducting regular inspection of buildings of various activities, which are frequented by large numbers to ensure the availability of adequate safety systems.