ABSTRACT

There has been a growing incidence of domestic fire disasters in recent years. This study therefore examined the causes, impact and prevention of domestic fire incidences in Benin City with a focus on Egor Local Government Area. The objective for this study were to identify as well as investigate the different causes of domestic fire risks and it’s consequence on the people in Egor Local Government Area, to assess the level of domestic fire risks preparedness in homes and buildings and how they can be improved upon, to identify the major flaws that act as barrier to effective fire safety management practices as well as to assess the ways in which domestic fire incidences can be curtailed to prevent incessant fire occurrences in Egor Local Government Area. A total of 157 copies of questionnaire was administered across six communities in the study area and all were returned valid, The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 24, cross-tabulation was used in the analysis of this research. It was noticed that the incidence of domestic fires in Egor Local Government Area was caused majorly by electrical surges in homes with about 46.8 percent occurrence rate. Gas and explosions from kitchen activities with 26.9 percentand the unchecked use of juveniles in carrying out domestic chores with 8.3 percent occurrence rates were the second and third highest causes of domestic fires respectively. Furthermore, results from this research revealed that preventive and precautionary measures against the incidence of domestic fire incidences was poor as most homes and private buildings lacked basic fire repellent apparatus such as functional fire extinguishers. The impacts of domestic fire incidences in Egor Local Government Area was recorded to span from loss of lives and property, displacement of victims, means of livelihood were denied the victims of domestic fire victims in Egor Local Government at a 10.9 percent rate while loss of biodiversity recorded 1.3 percentage loss. The study recommends that adequate fire preparedness be upheld in homes. There should be at least a functional fire extinguisher in every home in Egor Local Government Area. The government should ensure a well funded and functional fire fighting department in Egor Local Government Area to enable them in adequately tackling domestic fire incidences should they occur.