DOHA: Storage of gas cylinders in residential areas are a ticking bomb that threaten people’s lives, thus there is a need to relocate them in areas far from homes, Central Municipal Council (CMC) members have said.
A number of CMC members recently raised the issue after receiving complaints from citizens who had expressed fear of fires that could result from these random storage spaces close to residential buildings.
Storing gas cylinders in these areas may increase the possibility of fires posing imminent danger to people’s lives and properties and is a violation of security and safety law, they said.
They added these storage facilities must immediate closed and relocated to places from residents such as Industrial Area.
CMC members referred to these storage facilities as ‘time bombs’ that could explode anytime that could harm people in places such as Najma where there are many such storage facilities could be found.
Jassim Al Malki, a CMC member, cited Souq Harraj as an example which is surrounded by residential areas and contains inflammable materials.
“That’s why there is a need to monitor and inspect Souq Harraj for security and safety at a regular basis,” said Al Malki adding inspectors should ensure security and safety requirements are always met by stores at the market.
Another CMC member Hamad Saleh Al Hol said storage of inflammable materials and many chemicals and foodstuff in a place not licensed to store such is a violation of health and safety requirements.
“Traders always store these materials in residential areas and sales outlets to facilitate distribution. They are making lots of profits sacrificing people’s safety,” said Al Hol.
CMC member Meshaal Al Dahnem, said the issue had been raised many times asking concerned departments to move these storage to the Industrial Area, adding the Civil Defence has a role to play in this issue.
Mohammed bin Jassim Al Maslamani said the CMC in collaboration with the Doha Municipality would establish a committee to investigate the issue.
Specifically the committee would identify the total number of these storage facilities and the dangers they would cause to the people. “These are residential areas and we do not allow such dangerous materials near families,” he said, adding asking residents to cooperate with CMC members to identify these storage facilities which are usually located in residential villas.
The Peninsula
