AC unit caught fire, owner saved the day

AN air conditioning unit at a newly opened shop in Madang caught fire on Friday and was eventually put out by the owner himself.
The fire started on a roof-top AC unit at Yaho Supermarket in Madang town, and bystanders outside who saw the smoke, alerted the shop’s owner.
The shop owner then climbed to the roof of the building and put out the fire with a fire extinguisher.
The National reporter in Madang was at the scene and saw what happened.
A crowd gathered at the scene but police were on hand to prevent any potential looting or misbehaviour by opportunists.
Fire fighters were also alerted and turned up and after the fire was put out were able to determine that an electrical fault was the cause.
Madang fire service officers said businesses needed to ensure they followed fire safety measures and standards in terms of having the proper equipment to put out fires and knowing basic procedures to follow when fires started.
They said buildings also needed to be built following standards that ensured a high level of fire safety.
They said fire extinguishers needed to be in readily accessible places.
They also raised concern with electrical wiring in shops.