Makati issues LPG warning

The Makati Fire Department (MFD) has warned residents to carefully check the quality of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks they buy, following reports of several LPG explosions in the city.

In a report to Mayor Jejomar Binay, Makati fire marshal Superintendent Aresenio Tabajonda Jr. said 15 incidents of LPG explosions were recorded from January to July, causing injuries to four people. Luckily, he said, the blasts did not cause any fire.

Based on their investigation, Tabajonda said the gas tanks were sub-standard and did not pass the quality control of leading LPG manufacturers.

He appealed to residents to report to his office (816-4014 and 816-2553) and to the Department of Trade and Industry any dealer selling sub-standard LPG tanks or those with tampered seals.

"We are requesting residents to support us in our year-round fire prevention campaign by not patronizing cheap but sub-standard LPG tanks," Tabajonda said.

At the same time, he advised residents, especially those in crowded communities, to attend the barangay seminars by the MFD on the proper use of LPG.