FIRE FIGHTING Ladders were on standby, but internal access was more effective

(Patria) – Following last night's fire in the Pensioners' Home building in Tuzla, the public is wondering why the new 32-meter fire ladder, purchased a month ago, was not used during the intervention.

This is a vehicle delivered on September 29, 2025, equipped with a stretcher basket, an electric generator, hydraulic devices, and equipment for fighting fires at heights. The ladder has passed all necessary EU controls and has certificates of conformity with safety standards.

The head of the Professional Firefighting Unit Tuzla, Jasmin Jahić, explained to Tuzlanski.ba that the ladder was on standby, but there was no need for its use.
"Firefighters managed to reach the source of the fire from the inside and quickly localize it," said Jahić.

The Sarajevo firefighting unit explained to Patria that in such situations, extinguishing from inside the building is usually more effective, while ladders are used if people are trapped on higher floors. They also reminded that this was an extremely risky and dangerous operation.

Firefighting from the outside is carried out if internal access is impossible or too dangerous; ladders allow access to windows, balconies, or the roof.

"As a rule, an internal attack on a fire (through corridors and stairs) is faster and more effective if conditions allow. Ladders are used as a supplementary or backup option, especially when there is a risk of evacuation from height," it was explained to Patria.