The country’s fire incidents went up by nearly 40 percent from April 1 to 26 compared to the same period last year based on the record of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
In a statement on Monday, May 1, the BFP said that from the 953 recorded fire incidents in 2022, the number jumped to 1,332 in the country this month.
With the soaring fire incidents, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the BFP called on the public to take the necessary precautions to prevent fire incidents especially during the soaring heat of the summer months.
The BFP pointed to the rise in the demand for electricity which may have compromised the faulty electric wires; dried leaves, grass and garbage materials which easily catch fire or lighted cigarette butts as major causes of fire incidents.
DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. urged the local government units (LGUs) to conduct inspects and coordinate with the BFP to ensure the strict adherence of the establishments to the regulations in Republic Act 9514 other wise known as the “Fire Code of the Philippines (FCP.’’
“Tiyakin natin na ang mga buildings ay mayroong fire exits, fire protection systems tulad ng sprinklers, hose box, at iba pang fire safety features alinsunod sa Fire Code of the Philippines. Huwag po nating ipagwalang-bahala ang mga ganitong bagay dahil buhay at kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan ang nakasalalay rito (Let us make sure that the buildings have fire exits, fire protection systems like sprinklers, hose box and other fire safety features pursuant to the Fire Code of the Philippines. Let us not disregard these things since lives and the safety of our fellowmen are at stake here),’’ Abalos asserted.
The DILG chief stressed that following the simple fire safety protocols like unplugging of appliances not being used, not leaving the unmanned stoves on, regular inspection of the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks and storage of highly combustible materials in secure places are among the measures to make homes safe from fire incidents.