On the eve of Easter, rescuers visited temples in the Irpin community with safety briefings. Formally — routine work. Practically — the intersection of two separate threats that coincide at one point this year: open flame in overcrowded spaces and the need for quick evacuation when an air alert signal sounds.
A candle as a fire source
According to a representative of the State Emergency Service cited by RBC-Ukraine, candlestands in churches should be placed no closer than one meter from flammable structures — wooden iconostases, curtains, wall coverings. Violation of this distance is one of the main causes of fires in temples during holidays. Rescuers checked the availability and condition of primary fire extinguishing equipment and the status of evacuation routes in community churches.
According to State Emergency Service statistics, the number of fires increases precisely on holidays and weekends — and careless handling of fire remains the main cause of fires in religious buildings. A separate danger is worshippers who take lit oil lamps home after the service.
War added a second scenario
This year's briefings differ from pre-war ones in one point: church staff were separately trained on the algorithm of actions during an air alert signal. An overcrowded temple, open flame, and the need to organize the evacuation of people to a basement or shelter — this is no longer an abstract scenario for Irpin, a city that went through occupation.
"We explain the rules for safe use of open flame, the procedure for using primary fire extinguishing equipment, and we remind about the algorithm of actions in case of fire and, which is especially important during wartime, — the rules for evacuating people"
— State Emergency Service representative, Zaporizhzhia City Council (similar briefings conducted throughout the country)
What was actually checked
- Location of candlestands relative to flammable structures
- Availability and condition of fire extinguishers and fire equipment boxes
- Condition and accessibility of evacuation exits
- Staff knowledge of procedures during fire and air alert
Special emphasis — on oil lamps and candles that worshippers take with them: monitoring them after leaving the temple remains the highest risk zone.
If this year's Easter night passes without incidents — will these briefings become an annual standard for all communities, or will they turn into a one-time action before the holiday once again?
