‘Red hot quarter’: Fire incidents in PH up 26 pct
ABS-CBN News, Dennis Datu
Published March 05, 2024 03:38 PM
Fire incidents in the country increased by 26 percent for the first three months of the year, the Bureau of Fire Protection said, a few days after the fire prevention month kicked in.
There have been 3,200 fire incidents in the Philippines from January to March 5, Fire Director Louie Puracan said, without citing year on year data.
In total, there were 16,433 incidents in 2023 and 13,195 incidents in 2022. There have also been 70 reported casualties from January to March 2024. There were 509 total casualties in 2023.
“Mag-ingat po sa sunog lalo sa panahon na ito na March is the peak of hot season and may El Nino pa,” Puracan appeals to the public.
(Take precautions against fires especially in March when it’s the peak of the hot season and there is El Nino.)
The National Capital Region (NCR) has the highest number of fire incidents, the BFP said. BFP regional director Nahum Terroza said there has been a 14.94 percent increase in fire incidents in the metropolis, equivalent to 600 incidents.
Of these incidents, 296 were structural fires, 273 were non-structural fires, and 31 were vehicle fires.
There have been 16 reported fatalities in Metro Manila from January to February 2024.
The main causes of fires are neglected lit cigarettes, electrical ignition, and electrical overloading, according to Tarroza.
The BFP also urged the public to call their lines, as firefighters were trained to respond to electrical related issues, and electrical installation.
“Mayroon po kami extra services na ibibigay sa inyo na pwede po tumawag ang mga mamamayan natin. Sabihin niyo lang po sa bumbero kahit hindi emergency: ‘Sir, mayroon po kami na nag spark dito. Puwede po pacheck n’yo ang aming kuryente.” Pupunta po doon ang bumbero kasama ang barangay at titingnan ang mga wiring niyo,” Tarroza said.
CORDILLERA BUSH FIRES
Meanwhile, Purucan said bush fires in the Cordillera region may be extinguished within 3-5 days. Out of the 72 reported bush fires, only 3 are still ongoing but already remain under control.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos urged the public to be responsible while camping or hiking in the mountains, as many fires start from abandoned campfires.
“Alam ko summer ngayon. Marami sa atin magcacamping sa bundok, magha-hiking. Let us be responsible for our actions kasi minsan aalis na lang. ‘Yan ‘yung mga naiwan na pinag-anohan ng apoy, ‘yung doon nagsisimula. Lumiliyab,” Abalos said in a press briefing in Quezon City.
(I know it’s summer time and a lot of us will be hiking. Let us be responsible for our actions because abandoned bonfires may cause sparking which leads to fires.)
One challenge firefighters face is responding to fires in tall buildings. BFP fire ladders can only reach a maximum of 18 floors.
Abalos said the BFP is purchasing helicopters for fire response, noting that the Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia without a helicopter to put out fires.
The BFP Modernization program also includes the acquisition of new fire trucks and the construction of fire stations.
According to Abalos, there are currently 123 local government units without fire stations and fire trucks, particularly in the BARMM. The funds collected from fire code fees will be used to purchase new fire trucks and helicopters.
“Sa guidance ng ating mahal na Pangulo, pipilitin natin within this year na lahat ito ay magkaroon na ng fire station at fire trucks at hindi lamang ‘yun sinabi ko kay Gen. Puracan na it’s about time na magkaroon na tayo ng helicopter na may bucket,” he said.
(We’ll try to do all of these by this year, build fire stations and get fire trucks, and not just my concern over needing a helicopter with a bucket.)
SOURCE: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/5/-red-hot-quarter-fire-incidents-in-ph-up-26-pct-1432
