The fire menace is thus very real. But is there anything Nigerians can do to lessen the menace? Yes, and some of the suggestions in the box (page 16) may prove practical in your part of the world too.

Helpful suggestions on coping with a fire were made in the September 8, 1980, issue of Awake! Two workers in the NECOM House, Joe and Bose, got to use the advice given there. Joe, who worked on the ninth floor, recalls: “When a junior officer reported to me that the building was on fire, I opened my door and saw people rushing down the stairs in confusion. Now thinking of escape, I recalled what I had read in Awake! I remembered that I should try to keep calm and not panic, that I should not use the elevators but should rather make use of the fire escape, because elevators can easily become firetraps. Also, I had already acquainted myself with the layout of the stairs and exits. I took the fire escape, but when I got to the sixth floor, the smoke cut off any further descent. Remembering that there was a ramp for motor cars that ran through the back of the building, I took this route and made my escape.”

Bose had a similar experience: “When I discovered smoke billowing up the stairway to the 14th floor where my office was located, I alerted my co-workers and, leaving our possessions behind, we began looking for a way out of the building. People were rushing down the stairs and milling about in a state of panic. Since I already knew the layout of the exits, I shouted to the others, ‘Let us take this way!’ Thus many of us were able to make it to the ground floor.”

Fortunately, only two people died in the fire, mainly because the building had many exits and the fire was, at first, restricted to just one wing. The casualties, however, resulted from the victims’ not knowing what to do.

Do not make the same mistake. Fires will no doubt continue to cause anguish in Nigeria, as they do in many parts of the world. But the menace of fire can be greatly reduced if you take reasonable steps to protect yourself and your family.

If a fire breaks out in spite of all these precautions, advance preparation could save your life. It may be practical to have family fire drills. Plan escape routes (and alternates) from every room in your house. In addition, impress upon your family that if fire breaks out, they should immediately get out of the burning building. Trying to salvage a few material possessions can be fatal. Stay calm and concentrate on finding a way out. Once you are outside, you can summon help.