112 persons, including 5 children, lost their lives in fires since the start of the year. Last week alone the Firemen and Rescuers Service (FRS) registered 73 fires with 3 casualties. FRS spokesperson Liliana Puscasu said the leading causes of home fires are careless smoking, children playing with matches and inflammables, careless use of heating facilities, and short circuits. Three of the last week’s fires are reportedly arson cases. “During this canicular period the smallest spark can often lead to large-scale fires”, the FRS warns. According to statistics, since the start of the year there were registered 1672 cases of fire across the country, compared to 1456 in the similar period last year. As a result, there were completely destroyed 110 buildings and 75 vehicles.