The number of fire incidents from January to March increased by 12.9% this year compared to the same period the previous year, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
BFP spokesperson Supt. Annalee Atienza told DZRH that the organization already reported 2,103 fire incidents as of March 1, higher than the 1,863 incidents reported in the same period last year.
"Pagdating naman po sa casualties … 40 po ngayon at last year ay 63," Atienza said in an interview.
(When it comes to casualties … we have 40 this year and last year we had 63.)
According to the official, the top three causes of fire based on their data are electrical ignition caused by arcing, electrical ignition caused by a loose connection, and open flame from cooking.
"Ayon po sa data natin ang top causes of fire po natin, 'yung electrical ignition caused by arcing. So 'yan po 'yung putol na linya ng kuryente at nagkakaroon ng arc 'yung dumadaloy na kuryente kung saan ito ay dumikit sa light combustible materials," explained Atienza.
(Based on our data, one of the top causes of fire is electrical ignition caused by arcing. This refers to a chopped electric line that triggers an arc in the running electricity. This then gets in contact with light combustible materials.)
Electrical ignition because of loose connection stems from extension wires that households use as permanent electrical outlets, according to the spokesperson.
"Pumapangatlo po, 'yung open flame from cooking kasama po diyan yung LPG, gas stove, at ginagamit pa po natin sa pagluluto na kadalasan ay nao-overlook ng ating mga kusinero at kusinera," she said.
(Third, open flame from cooking, including LPG, gas stove, other equipment used for cooking that get overlooked by our cooks.)
This is why the BFP is enhancing its Oplan Ligtas Pamayanan as part of the agency's initiatives during the start of Fire Prevention Month.
"That is why pinapalakas po natin ang Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan kung saan ang mga bumbero po ay nagbabahay-bahay na po para kausapin ang bawat kababayan natin sa kani-kanilang mga bahay," she said.
(That is why we are strengthening our Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan where our firemen are going house-to-house to talk to households.)
The initiative also includes the identification of high-risk areas for fires and empowering barangay fire brigade training to improve the forces of first responders.
"Kasama rin po diyan sa Fire Prevention Month 'yung ating kaisa partnership campaign. Ito naman po 'yung ating pagbibigay ng kaisa star seal sa mga business establishment na compliant sa fire code," Atienza said.
(Also part of our Fire Prevention Month is our kaisa partnership campaign. This is where we provide kaisa star seals to business establishments that are compliant with the fire code.)
According to the spokesperson, the BFP is exerting efforts on its information campaign to prevent the further increase of fire incidents and casualties because of them.
"Patuloy po tayo siyempre sa pagkakalat ng impormasyon na hinggil po pag-iwas sa sunog para maiwasan itong pagtaas na ito," she said.
(We continue to disseminate information on avoiding fires to prevent the increase in incidents.)
