Fire damages vehicles and nearby buildings in Beirut

A fire erupted early Saturday in Beirut’s Hamra district, reportedly caused by an overloaded power generator and adjacent diesel tanks, as reported by LBC International.

The blaze led to extensive material damage, burning approximately 25 vehicles and affecting nearby buildings.

The incident occurred near residential structures, highlighting ongoing issues surrounding generator safety in the densely populated city.

The fire also resulted in minor injuries.

A foreign worker sustained an injury after jumping from an upper floor to escape the thick smoke.

Additionally, a Lebanese woman suffered a minor injury and was treated at a nearby hospital.

Concerns rise over generator placement near residential areas

This latest incident has raised questions about the placement and safety protocols for generators near residential buildings in Beirut.

Many generators, often situated close to living areas, lack basic safety measures, heightening the risk of fires and subsequent property damage.

Sawsan Dahham, CEO of Sienna, commented on LinkedIn: “In Lebanon, where public electricity is unreliable, diesel generators are the primary power source for homes and businesses.

“However, in the absence of government-mandated fire safety regulations, these generators are installed without planning, inspection, or maintenance.

“This lack of oversight poses severe risks to both public safety and property.”

Call for fire safety standards amid recurring incidents

In the absence of stringent fire safety regulations, incidents involving generators and fuel tanks have become alarmingly common.

NFPA, the National Fire Protection Association, provides specific guidelines for the safe installation and maintenance of generators through codes such as NFPA37 and NFPA30, addressing issues like placement, ventilation, automatic shutdowns, and fuel handling.

However, these standards are not widely implemented in Lebanon.

“Such tragic events remind us of the crucial role that codes and standards play in safeguarding lives and properties,” Dahham added.

“Their implementation is essential for creating a safer world, where avoidable disasters like this one become far less common.”

Diesel generators: a growing safety risk in Lebanon

Beirut’s reliance on diesel generators stems from Lebanon’s unstable electricity supply, which has made generators a primary source of power for many homes and businesses.

However, these generators are often installed without inspections, planning, or regular maintenance, increasing the likelihood of fire hazards, particularly in high-density areas.

The absence of governmental oversight in regulating generator use and placement has allowed safety concerns to grow unchecked, impacting residents’ safety and property values.

Recent incidents, including the fire in Hamra, underscore the urgency of addressing this widespread issue.

Beirut fire destroys vehicles, sparks debate on generator safety standards: Summary

A fire in Beirut’s Hamra district destroyed around 25 vehicles and caused damage to nearby buildings, raising concerns about generator safety near residential areas, as reported by LBC International.

The fire, which ignited from an overloaded generator and nearby diesel tanks, led to minor injuries for a foreign worker and a Lebanese woman.

Lebanon’s dependency on diesel generators due to an unreliable public electricity supply, combined with the absence of safety regulations, has made such incidents increasingly common.

NFPA has established safety codes like NFPA37 and NFPA30 to ensure safe generator use, but these standards reportedly remain largely unenforced in Lebanon.

Comments from industry experts like Sawsan Dahham highlight the need for regulatory oversight to mitigate risks associated with the widespread use of generators in populated areas.