Fires hit Metro Manila as prevention month kicks off

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) yesterday kicked off Fire Prevention Month with a caravan reminding the public to take precaution against fires.

Several firefighters and members of fire volunteer groups participated in the caravan that went around the streets of Metro Manila to drum beat the fire prevention awareness campaign.

BFP director Chief Superintendent Ariel Barayuga said the bureau is linking actively with fire volunteers as force multipliers.

“Be fire safe... Make every day a fire prevention day,” read the streamers on the fire trucks.

Superintendent Renato Marcial of the BFP urged the public to observe measures to prevent fire incidents. This year’s fire prevention awareness drive is themed “Kaligtasan sa sunog, alamin, gawin at isabuhay natin.”

Fire Prevention Month is observed in March, with incidents of fire expected to increase during summer.

The first day of Fire Prevention Month started with a blaze destroying 13 houses in Cubao, Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Another fire broke out at a commercial building in Quezon City that started Saturday and lasted until Sunday morning.

A fire also struck Pasig City, leaving at least 1,000 families homeless over the weekend.

In Marilao, Bulacan, four siblings, including a four-month-old baby, died when a fire razed their home Friday night.

Barayuga, however, told The STAR that fire incidents during the first two months of the year were lower compared to the same period last year.

He said over 2,000 fire incidents were recorded from January to February this year, compared to over 3,800 during the same period in 2014.

“Several fires hit the metropolis a day before the start of Fire Prevention Month. But overall assessment, there were fewer fire incidents this year compared to last year,” Barayuga said.

Fire prevention tips

The BFP advised homeowners to turn off the fuse box when leaving the house and not to use appliances such as electric fans and air-conditioning units continuously to avoid overheating. Check electrical circuits at home regularly.

“Unplug appliances if not in use and avoid octopus connections,” the BFP said. “Store combustible materials out of children’s reach, inspect LPG tanks as well as the hose regularly.”

Barayuga said the BFP is set to acquire 469 fire trucks to boost its firefighting capability.