BFP: Firecrackers caused 13 fires during holidays

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) recorded 13 fires caused by firecrackers from Dec. 25, 2021 up to yesterday, one of which resulted in the death of a one-year-old girl.

The fire that occurred in Barangay San Josef Norte in Cabanatuan City on Dec. 28 left the girl dead.

BFP spokesperson Superintendent Annalle Atienza said the fire was caused by a baby rocket that hit her family’s home.

Eleven of the incidents happened on New Year’s Eve. Two occurred in Metro Manila, specifically in Pasig and Quezon City.

Four of the fires occurred in Calabarzon; two in Central Luzon; and one each in Western Visayas, Ilocos, Bicol, the Cordilleras and Davao.

Last year, the BFP recorded no fires as a result of firecrackers.

In a radio interview, most of the firecracker-related incidents were caused by “kwitis.”

The BFP renewed its call for a total ban on firecrackers to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.