Cebu City records 39 fires in March
CEBU CITY – A slight increase in fire incidents was recorded in this year’s observance of Fire Prevention Month here last March.
According to the Cebu City Fire Station, a total of 39 fire incidents were recorded in this city last month. There were 33 fire incidents here in March last year.
Senior Fire Officer 2 Wendel Villanueva said although there were more fire incidents in this year’s Fire Prevention Month, fire damage was fewer compared to the same period last year.
Villanueva said P9.6-million worth of property was damaged during last month’s fire incidents. In the same period last year, fire damage reached P11.6 million.
He said the cooperation of the public during fire incidents was instrumental in the decrease of fire damage.
Villanueva added that 20 percent of the total fire incidents last month were “fire out upon arrival” which means the fire had already been put out before the firefighters arrived.
Electrical ignition caused by arcing, children playing matches or lighters, and unattended cooking were among the top causes of fire, Villanueva said.
At least 22 grass fires were recorded last month.
Because of the extreme hot weather that the country is experiencing, Villanueva advised the public to avoid burning garbage or dried leaves to prevent fire incidents.