The fire at the Secretariat marks yet another major fire incident before 2024 goes out, one that may have severe ramifications without proper investigation.
Given the importance of the Secretariat, and with the spread of misinformation already gaining momentum without any concrete facts yet available, it is of utmost importance that the seven-member investigation committee formed by the government leave no stone unturned to uncover the facts related to the incident.
However, whether it be an accident or part of a conspiracy or an act of sabotage, what does not change is that collectively, we have and continue to fail to put an end to fires causing destruction to our country.
While we appreciate the details discussed for the report, with the committee formed being tasked with investigating the origin and cause of the fire, determining whether anyone has any personal or professional responsibility, and making recommendations for preventing similar accidents in the future, such reports are meaningless if we do not see concrete actions.
It is simply unacceptable just how many fires break out, and how we continue to be caught off guard every time. That a firefighter lost his life due to being struck by a truck while attempting to douse the flames tells us of how poorly we continue to fare when it comes to dealing with them.
As such, while it is imperative that we get the full facts of the fire and take the appropriate actions based on the findings, what does not change is getting better at putting out fires and ensuring that they do not break out with the alarming regularity we see. This should be among the resolutions for this country as we step into the new year.
