Gas heater fire claims lives of five in Diyala

DIYALA – A woman and her four children lost their lives early Wednesday morning in Abu Sayda sub-district, northeast of Diyala, after a gas heater fire broke out while they were sleeping.

Witnesses told 964media that the husband and father, a member of the security forces, was not at home at the time of the incident. Neighbors quickly attempted to extinguish the fire and alerted the authorities.

Security forces have launched an investigation into the incident, and the bodies were transported to the forensic medicine department.

Earlier this month, an infant under one year old tragically died in a fire that erupted in the family’s bedroom in the Jizani Al-Joul area of Khalis district, Diyala.

In August 2023, the Civil Defense Directorate reported that Iraq had recorded 19,000 fires since the beginning of the year, reflecting a 20% decline compared to 2022. Officials attributed this reduction to increased public awareness of safety measures and the adoption of modern construction techniques that help reduce fire risks. Statistics for 2024 have not yet been released.