The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said fire incidents in the country skyrocketed to 3,590 from January to March 8 this year which is 24.3 percent higher than the 2,887 recorded over the same period last year.
With the rise in fire incidents, the BFP noted that the damage to property rose by 59.7 percent to P2,329,667,772.50 compared to P1,459,055,270.30 in the same quarter of 2023.
The BFP reported that 72 civilians died during the blaze which is 41.8 percent higher than the 51 deaths recorded last year while 216 were injured compared to the 201 last year.
In the same report, two BFP personnel died while 20 firefighters were injured during the said fire incidents which is 109.5 percent more than the previous year.
Earlier, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. called on Metro Manila residents to have their electrical lines checked by competent BFP personnel.
This came about after the BFP planned to install a hotline number for residents of the National Capital Region (NCR) where calls and requests for voluntary inspection of electrical connections of their houses to avoid fire incidents in their communities can be made.
Abalos said the BFP’s step to extend its services in barangays through its hotline can be a huge push in their goal to lessen fire incidents stating that most fire cases start from overheated appliances, especially electric fans.
"Karamihan ng cause ng sunog ay electric fan. Bakit? Nag-o-overheat ang electric fan. Sa sobrang init, nagi-spark at iyan ang sanhi. Kaya ‘yung mga nakikinig ngayon, pag-ingatan n’yo mga electric fan n’yo (Most of the fire incidents were caused by electric fans. Why? Electric fans tend to overheat. Due to the extreme heat, they spark and that is the root cause. So to those listening, take good care of your electric fans)," Abalos warned.
Likewise, Abalos prodded the public to have their electrical connections inspected and old electrical appliances discarded.
"Electrical ignition due to arcing and overloading, lighted cigarette butts were also identified as among primary causes of fires," the BFP explained.
According to BFP chief Director Louie Puracan, the bureau is currently training their personnel so they could immediately respond should residents call them to inspect electrical wirings and systems in their homes.
Puracan reiterated his public advise to observe fire safety especially since March is the peak of the hot season which is exacerbated by the ongoing El Niño phenomenon.