Jaqueline Santos, Cristiano Corrêa

Mapeamento e caracterização dos incêndios com vítimas em Belo Horizonte

Introduction

Mapeamento e caracterização dos incêndios com vítimas em belo horizonte. Investiga o perfil e os locais de incêndios com vítimas em Belo Horizonte (2021-2022). Dados cruciais para políticas públicas de segurança urbana.

Abstract

Objective - this research investigated the profile of fire victims in the city of Belo Horizonte, geographical indicators of the location of the incident, and the construction, use, and occupancy characteristics of the buildings. Methodology - All urban fire responses in the city of Belo Horizonte in the period from 2021 to 2022 were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Those that had victims (injured and fatal) were dissected and these data were compared with those found in international studies. Originality – The patterns of fires that cause casualties in Brazil, especially in large cities, are little known and discussed. The current study sheds light on incidents in Belo Horizonte, one of the largest Brazilian cities, from an unprecedented perspective. Results – It was found that 1,371 fires were recorded in buildings, about 62.14% (852) of which occurred in residential buildings, of which 76.41% (651) were in single-family homes. There were 133 fires in buildings in the city that resulted in injuries or deaths. There is a prevalence of fires with injuries occurring in residential buildings (single-family and multi-family), corresponding to 89.47% (119). When comparing the records of fire victims from CBMMG and DATASUS, it can be seen that if all those injured and treated by CBMMG were admitted to the hospital network, this would represent about 33% of the total hospitalizations recorded in DATASUS. Regarding the gender of the victims, there is a slight difference, with men accounting for about 53% (88) of the cases. Theoretical/methodological contributions – one of the contributions of this research is to establish an overview of fires that cause deaths and injuries in Belo Horizonte, providing relevant data for public policies and urban development in an effective manner that can be replicated in other municipalities. Social and environmental contributions – identifying the main interrelationships between fires that cause victims in large cities, such as Belo Horizonte, is an important contribution to city management and the preservation of a society's most valuable asset, the lives and integrity of its citizens.

Review

This study, titled "Mapping and characterization of fires with victims in Belo Horizonte," addresses a critical gap in understanding fire-related casualties in large Brazilian cities. The research aims to delineate the profile of fire victims, pinpoint geographical incident locations, and characterize the construction, use, and occupancy features of affected buildings in Belo Horizonte. Its originality lies in providing an unprecedented perspective on patterns of casualty-causing fires in a major Brazilian metropolis, a topic that has received insufficient attention in national discourse and research. This focus on local data within a significant urban context makes the paper inherently relevant for both local stakeholders and broader comparative studies. The methodology employed involves a comprehensive analysis of all urban fire responses in Belo Horizonte between 2021 and 2022, utilizing descriptive statistics. The authors specifically dissected incidents involving victims (injured or fatal), comparing these findings with international studies and integrating data from both the Military Fire Department of Minas Gerais (CBMMG) and the National Health System's data repository (DATASUS). Key findings indicate that a significant proportion of building fires (62.14%) occur in residential structures, predominantly single-family homes (76.41%). Out of 1,371 recorded building fires, 133 resulted in injuries or deaths, with an overwhelming majority (89.47%) occurring in residential settings. The comparison between CBMMG and DATASUS data is particularly insightful, suggesting that fire department-treated injuries represent a substantial portion (33%) of total hospitalizations recorded in DATASUS, highlighting the scale of the problem. Gender distribution showed a slight prevalence of male victims (53%). The research offers substantial theoretical, methodological, and social contributions. By establishing a detailed overview of fires causing deaths and injuries in Belo Horizonte, it provides crucial data to inform public policies and urban development initiatives effectively. The methodology's replicability in other municipalities further enhances its value, enabling broader understanding and intervention strategies across Brazil. Socially, identifying the key interrelationships behind fires with victims in a large city like Belo Horizonte is vital for urban management and underscores the imperative of preserving citizen lives and integrity. While the descriptive nature of the study provides an excellent foundation, future research could delve into the root causes and preventative factors associated with residential fires, thereby enriching the actionable insights for targeted intervention strategies.

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