Two Manila fire officials were relieved from their posts pending the result of the investigation in connection with the Binondo fire that left 11 people dead, the Bureau of Fire-National Capital Region (BFP-NCR) confirmed on Monday, Aug. 5.
In an interview, BFP-NCR Director Chief Supt. Nahum Tarroza clarified that the relief of Senior Supt. Aristotle Bañaga is “just temporary’’ stating “that it is a standard operating procedure that when your office will be investigated the head or chief will be relieved for the meantime.’’
In the case of Manila Fire Safety Enforcement Branch chief Fire Chief Inspector Dominc Salvacion, Tarroza explained that the same thing holds true as it is needed in the course of the investigation on the Binondo fire incident.
“Kung hindi naman sila makitaan ng negligence balik din naman sila sa pwesto (If the result of the investigation proves that there is no negligence on their part, they will be returned to their respective posts),’’ Tarroza noted.
To recall the blaze at the residential-commercial building located at 647 Carvajal Street in Binondo reached the first alarm at 7:28 a.m. and the second alarm at 8:14 a.m. on Friday, August 2.
Reports disclosed that the fire was caused by a leaking liquified petroleum gas (LPG) tank.