It took 245 fire trucks and 1,082 firefighters to put out the blaze that hit a popular shopping mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa last Jan. 8.
A fire hit the Starmall Alabang shopping mall with the first alarm raised by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Muntinlupa at 3:40 a.m. on Jan. 8.
BFP District III Fire Director Senior Supt. Gerry Berte raised the alarm to Task Force Alpha at 7:46 a.m. after the fifth alarm at 7:15 a.m.
The fire was put under control at 7:06 p.m. on Jan. 8 and was finally declared “fire out” at 12:21 p.m. on Jan. 9. The whole operation took almost 33 hours.
“After almost 33 hours of firefighting operation of combined forces from the BFP firefighters, barangay and private volunteers from the different cities of NCR, the Task Force Alpha Fire Incident in Starmall Alabang was declared fire out at exactly 1221H 09 January 2022 at by the City Fire Director of Muntinlupa CFS FSupt. Roberto D. Samillano Jr.,” according to the Muntinlupa City Fire Station.
It said BFP-NCR Regional Director Chief Supt. Gilbert Dolot was at the scene, assuring “the availability of needed resources in the said fire incident along with other Fire Marshals who helped in the management of the fire scene having a total of 245 firetrucks and 1,082 firefighters which 296 are from the BFP and 786 are volunteers.”
The Muntinlupa City Fire Station said it “is very thankful and truly appreciates the generosity of people who extended their help to sustain the needs in food and water of our firefighters from the start until the end, the Starmall Alabang management, City Government of Muntinlupa, and Zero One Security group.”
“Our sincerest gratitude to all the BFP-NCR firefighters and volunteers who took part in the fire operation. Suppressing fire is not easy, but with the coordination and collaboration of forces it became possible,” Muntinlupa Firefighters said.
In a message posted on Facebook, the management of Starmall Alabang said, “Our hats are off to the indefatigable men and women of the Muntinlupa Fire Station led by FSupt. Robert D. Samillano, Jr., who were the first responders to the fire that hit the mall last Saturday.”
“The same goes for all the firefighters, volunteers and NGOs who augmented the BFP-Muntinlupa. Words are not enough to express our appreciation. Thank you very much! Salute!” it added.
Starmall Alabang issued a statement about the fire on Jan. 9, saying, “The management is extending its gratitude to the fire brigades and volunteer groups from all over the National Capital Region and nearby areas such as Imus, Bacoor, and Dasmarinas in Cavite for responding to the blaze.”
Netizens also lauded the firefighters for their hard work. The Muntinlupa City government provided hot meals to the firemen and volunteers.