BFP starts probe on Cavite fire

MANILA, Philippines -  The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has started its investigation into a fire that hit a factory at the Cavite Export Processing Zone in General Trias City on Wednesday night.

A team of investigators from the BFP national headquarters checked the gutted building of House Technology Industries Ltd. (HTI) in Barangay Bacao yesterday.

 Senior Superintendent Sergio Soriano, BFP-Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) director, said the BFP national headquarters would lead the probe because damage to property was placed at P15 billion. He said provincial and municipal arson investigators would assist in the probe.

The BFP wants to determine if the sprinklers inside the building were working when the fire broke out and if other safety measures were implemented.

”We want this investigation done quickly,” Soriano said in an interview over dzBB.

He said they are also assisting police scene of the crime operatives in conducting clearing operations.

At least 16 fire trucks were on standby for mopping-up operations.

Soriano said there was no reported fatality among HTI workers, who were all accounted for.

“There was no indication that workers were trapped during the fire,” he said.

Of the 126 injured workers, 40 remained confined in two hospitals in Cavite. A few others were transferred to the Philippine General Hospital in Manila.

The management of HTI assured displaced workers that they would be transferred to its sister companies while the  injured would be provided assistance.

The labor and social welfare departments as well as the Philippine Red Cross earlier provided assistance to affected workers and their families.