LAHORE: At least 18 people were killed and 136 injured in 1,581 fire accidents across the city during the last four months. Valuables worth 480.92 million were reduced to ashes during the fire incidents. According to Rescue officials, at least 7,706 fire incident s were reported across the province during first four months of the current year in which 44 people lost their lives. Giving break-up, they said that out of 1,581 fire incidents reported in the provincial capital, short circuits were a prime cause behind fire accidents with 929 cases followed by 72 accidents due to gas leakage. They said that 758 fire accidents were reported from residential areas, while 364 incidents occurred in commercial areas in the same period. The provincial capital tops the list when it comes to the number of fire accidents followed by 733 cases in Faisalabad, 484 in Gujranwala, 406 in Multan, 350 in Rawalpindi, 318 in Sialkot, 233 in Hafizabad, 221 in Dera Ghazi Khan, 187 in Bahawalpur, 170 in Sargodha, 156 in Sahiwal, 179 in Khanewal, 158 in Jhang, 141 in Gujrat, 182 in Sheikhupura, 156 in Mandi Bahauddin, 110 in Kasur, 140 in Narowal, 125 in Okara, 115 in Vehari, 125 in Chiniot, 167 in Nankana Sahib, 109 in Lodhran, 115 in Mianwali, 105 in Muzaffargarh, 103 in Ranjanpur, 50 in Attock, 55 in Jhelum, 63 in Toba Tek Singh, 87 in Bhakkar, 47 in Pakpattan, 74 in Layyah, 38 in Chakwal and 54 fire cases were reported in Khushab. According to Rescue 1122 Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer, proper emergency exits, installation of fire alarms, availability of fire extinguishers, fire hydrants and sprinkles in high-rise buildings can help save people’s lives during fire accidents. He said that owners of industrial units and occupants of high-rise buildings should realise the significance of proper exits and requested them not to risk their lives and others by evading safety measures for limited financial gains.