Electricity distribution is not on schedule, locals say, leading to safety issues with appliances and wiring.

Four houses burned down this week in Muse, northern Shan State causing damages totaling more than 5 million kyat (US$3,240).

The houses were located in Swansaw Ward, where, like in the rest of Shan State, electricity provision rotates every two hours between wards.

The fire started in a house owned by local man U San Yin, who lives in the compound, but rented by a man named U Li Ah, locals told SHAN.

“The fire started from a wire shock when water was boiling in an electric pot. The electricity is often cut off, so he forgot to turn it off,” Sai Lek, who lives in Muse, told SHAN. “People are suffering because electricity distribution is not on schedule. Even though they let us know the schedule of the electricity distribution, in practice the electricity is often on and off.”

Locals say that they are worried about power surges when the voltage is turned back on.

A house was burned down under similar circumstances in Muse on March 30, and houses and shops were burned down due to faulty wiring in Kutkai on May 7, killing two people.

The fire fighting departments in northern Shan State have warned people about the dangers of fires during the hot, dry season.