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LEICESTERSHIRE, ENGLAND, May 4, 2004: A woman from Leicestershire who has had three lucky escapes from fires caused by burning a religious lamp is warning others to be careful. The county’s fire service has started a new campaign aimed at cutting the number of fires started by diva lamps, small oil lamps used on the home shrine of Hindus. Kumudbhen Patel has had three separate accidents involving her lamp. She said her five children were lucky to escape when wall paper caught alight during one of the fires. Ms. Patel said: “They all were sleeping upstairs… if I was late then everything would have been gone.” During daily prayers, Hindus light a diva flame which is then placed within the family shrine along with pictures and other items of significance. The flame is often left to burn out and this can take several hours. The Lord Mayor of Leicester, Ramnik Kavia will be launching the initiative on Tuesday night at the Hindu temple on Weymouth Street, in Belgrave.



HPI adds: Home shrines can be built with tile surfaces and walls, greatly reducing the fire hazard. As well, oil lamps can be set on large metal trays for additional safety.

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