Smoke and burnt smell in Saronno (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• Evacuation of a supermarket in Saronno after the fire alarm
• Evacuated customers and staff
• Firefighters intervened to identify the origin of the problem
• The situation has been managed effectively thanks to the collaboration between law enforcement and firefighters

Key facts

• Date: August 17
• Place: Saronno
• Body: Fire brigade
• What: Evacuation of a supermarket
• Hours: Around 10 am
• Numbers: 20 customers, 15 employees
• Damage: Unknown
• Cause: Unknown

The supermarket in via Novara in Saronno was evacuated this morning after the fire alarm was activated. Around 10 o'clock customers and staff were let out after the smell of burning and the presence of smoke had been detected inside. The fire brigade intervened to identify the source of the problem and check the building's safety conditions.

The situation has been managed effectively thanks to the collaboration between law enforcement and fire brigade. Customers and employees were evacuated in an orderly and smooth manner. The fire brigade carried out an inspection of the building to identify the cause of the problem and check the safety conditions.

According to current regulations, the supermarket had to be equipped with a functioning fire alarm system and an evacuation plan in the event of an emergency. In addition, supermarket staff had to be trained to

Operational details

According to an initial reconstruction, the episode could be connected to a carbon dioxide leak in the area of an electrical cabin. The firefighters continued their checks during the morning to clarify precisely what happened.

The affected electrical cabin is located in the area of Bellinzona, one of the largest cities in the Canton of Ticino. The same area was affected by an increase in electricity bill prices in 2022, with an average increase of 12% compared to the previous year, according to data from the electricity distribution company Trenitalia.

The fire brigade carried out an inspection of the electrical cabin and found some anomalies that may have been the cause of the smoke and burning smell. Among these, a loss of pressure in the electrical cabin, which may have been caused by a problem of improper maintenance.

The law on safety regulations for electrical cabinets in the Canton of Ticino was introduced in 2015 and provides that electrical cabinets must be checked every 5 years. The verification of the affected electrical cabin was carried out in 2020 and there was no anomaly found.

The electricity distribution company Trenitalia has stated that it is working to understand the cause of the smoke and burnt smell and that it is taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its employees and

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Key points

The situation was quickly brought under control. However, it is important to remember that prevention is always better than cure. Here are 6 steps to avoid being evacuated in an emergency:

1. Check the security condition of the building: Before entering a building, be sure to check that the security conditions are adequate. This includes the presence of fire alarms, working emergency exits and an evacuation plan.

2. Be aware of fire alarms: Fire alarms are installed to signal the presence of smoke or flames. If the alarm is triggered, do not enter the building.

3. Follow the instructions of the fire brigade: in case of emergency, the fire brigade is the first to arrive on site. Follow their instructions and do not attempt to enter the building if you have not been authorized to do so.

4. Avoid entering buildings with a fire alarm: if the fire alarm is activated, do not enter the building. This can be a danger to your safety and the safety of others.

5. Be prepared to evacuate in an emergency: In an emergency, speed is paramount. Be prepared to evacuate and follow the instructions of the fire brigade.

6. Report any safety issues to the fire department: If you notice any safety issues, report them to the fire department. This may include the presence of a non-functioning fire alarm or non-functioning emergency exits

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Source: varesenews.it