Fire bureau ordered to inspect dormitories

Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes ordered the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to step up the inspection of public buildings, dormitories and boarding houses following a fire that left eight students dead in Manila.

Reyes said the inspections would determine if dormitories and boarding houses comply with fire safety standards set by the bureau and ensure the safety of building occupants.

The DILG chief issued the directive following a series of fire incidents that left more than a dozen dead, including eight students who were trapped in a burning dormitory in Sampaloc, Manila last Jan. 8

"Actually if only the people would start cooperating with members of the BFP in its fire prevention campaign and suppression measures, we can avoid the unnecessary loss of life and property," Reyes said.

He said it was sad that each time a fire incident occurs, people would start pointing a finger at the BFP.

Reyes emphasized that public safety also calls for the strict implementation of fire safety measures stipulated under the building and fire code.

The DILG chief urged all local chief executives and the BFP to strictly impose the provisions of the law.

"Year in and year out, we celebrate the month of March as Fire Prevention Month to emphasize the importance of fire safety consciousness among our people." Reyes said. "Let us make every day fire safety day."

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza ordered city administrator Dino Nable to form a composite team of representatives from various City Hall departments that will conduct an inspection of boarding houses all over the city.

Atienza said the team will be composed of officials from the City Administrator’s Office, Business Promotion and Development Office, Manila Health Department, Manila Fire Department and barangays.

"I want this team fielded immediately to check on compliance by city boarding houses with safety rules and building regulations to avoid another tragedy," the mayor said.

More bodies identified

Two more victims in last Sunday’s dormitory fire in Sampaloc were identified by their relatives yesterday.

The charred remains of Ricky Alag and his wife Cherry Anne were identified by family members through medical records, according to arson investigator Fire Officer 1 Guillermo Fermalino.

This brings to six the number of victims that have been identified.

Earlier, four of the eight victims were identified as Vanessa Lachica, 25, a female boarder; and Mark Lester Relente, 22; Joey Dangaran, 25; Gelmar Capati, 19, all employees of a water refilling station at the ground floor of the gutted structure along P. Campa street in Manila’s University Belt.

There were reports that four of the victims were merely visitors who stayed for the night.

Fermalino has called on relatives of a missing couple identified as Henry Lee and his unnamed wife to identify the remaining two bodies at the Universal Funeral Homes.

"May mag-asawa raw na nawawala nung magkasunog. Baka sila na ang mga ito. Kung sino man ang nakakikilala kina Henry Lee at sa kanyang asawa, makipag-ugnayan sa Arson Division ng Manila Fire Department sa Rizal Avenue corner Quiricada street," Fermalino said.

Eight persons perished while four others were injured when a two-hour fire razed the old dormitory building before dawn Sunday.

The injured boarders were identified as Ryan Pilapil, 23; Maridel Pad-ang, 25; Marilou Larango, 22; and Leda Andiun, 30.

The fatalities apparently failed to get out of the building after a night of drinking.

Some were found near the fire exit on the second floor.

Suitcases and other belongings reportedly blocked exits, making it difficult for people to escape.

Fermalino said their initial investigation showed the blaze started at the common kitchen of the 20-room dormitory. The fire reached the fifth alarm.

Manila’s University Belt is home to hundreds of dormitories occupied by university students from the provinces. Some , however, continue to violate building code and have become fire traps.

In a related development, Atienza said he would look into the accountability of the owner of the dormitory.

He instructed his city administrator to form a panel that would look into how the owner was able to secure a permit to operate despite alleged safety violations.

The mayor said they would file appropriate charges against the owner once it is confirmed that he violated regulations.

"I am waiting for the report of our arson investigators so we will know what caused the fire," he said. "The inquiry should determine if there were gaps in the implementation of the safety requirements."

The mayor said City Hall records showed the building was not registered as a dormitory, but as a private residence.

"It was not a licensed dormitory so there was no way for City Hall officials to inspect it. We want the owner to explain why they were maintaining a dormitory," he added. – With Evelyn Macairan, Nestor Etolle