By Nino Luces
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – The number of fire incidents in Bicol region in 2019 increased by 19 percent compared to the previous year, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Bicol said.
Senior Supt. Romeo Maltezo Jr, regional director of BFP Bicol said the agency was able to respond to 558 fire incidents last 2019, which was 19 percent more than the 467 incidents last 2018.
During a media forum held in Legazpi City that coincided with the start of Fire Prevention Month, Maltezo said most cases recorded were in residential areas, while there was only minimal number of fire incidents in business establishments.
He said that only one casualty was recorded in the latest fire incident that happened in Daraga town in Albay province.
Emergency responses are composed of fire incidents, rescue or disaster, vehicular accidents and medical cases. In 2018, BFP recorded a total of 1,178 responses in 2018, while 1,186 in 2019, representing a one-percent decrease.
Meanwhile, based on records, out of 107 municipalities in Bicol, there were still 16 municipalities without fire stations, while the towns of Garchitorena and Siruma in Camarines Sur, San Miguel in Catanduanes, Casiguran in Sorsogon had fire stations but did not have fire trucks.