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THUMBNAIL-FIRE

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Dennis Datu

<div><span dir="ltr" id="isPasted"></span><span dir="ltr">Fire incidents in the country increased by 26 percent for the first three months of the year, the Bureau of Fire Protection said, a few days after the fire prevention month kicked in. </span></div><p>There have been 3,200 fire incidents in the Philippines from January to March 5, Fire Director Louie Puracan said, without citing year on year data.<span dir="ltr"></span></p><div><span dir="ltr">In total, there were 16,433 incidents in 2023 and 13,195 incidents in 2022. There have also been 70 reported casualties from January to March 2024. There were 509 total casualties in 2023.</span><span dir="ltr"></span></div><div><span dir="ltr">&quot;Mag-ingat po sa sunog lalo sa panahon na ito na March is the peak of  hot season and may El Nino pa,&quot; Puracan appeals to the public.</span><span dir="ltr"></span></div><div><span dir="ltr">(Take precautions against fires especially in March when it&#x27;s the peak of the hot season and there is El Nino.)</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">The National Capital Region (NCR) has the highest number of fire incidents, the BFP said. BFP regional director Nahum Terroza said there has been a 14.94 percent increase in fire incidents in the metropolis, equivalent to 600 incidents. </span><span dir="ltr"> </span><span dir="ltr"></span></div><div><span dir="ltr">Of these incidents, 296 were structural fires, 273 were non-structural fires, and 31 were vehicle fires.</span><span dir="ltr"></span></div><div><span dir="ltr">There have been 16 reported fatalities in Metro Manila from January to February 2024.</span><span dir="ltr"></span></div><div><span dir="ltr">The main causes of fires are neglected lit cigarettes, electrical ignition, and electrical overloading, according to Tarroza.</span><span dir="ltr"></span></div><div><span dir="ltr">The BFP also urged the public to call their lines, as firefighters were trained to respond to electrical related issues, and electrical installation. </span><span dir="ltr"></span></div><div><span dir="ltr">&quot;Mayroon po kami extra services na ibibigay sa inyo na pwede po tumawag ang mga mamamayan natin. Sabihin niyo lang po sa bumbero kahit hindi emergency: &#x27;Sir, mayroon po kami na nag spark dito. Puwede po pacheck n&#x27;yo ang aming kuryente.&quot; Pupunta po doon ang bumbero kasama ang barangay at titingnan ang mga wiring niyo,&quot; Tarroza said.</span><span dir="ltr"><strong></strong></span></div><div><span dir="ltr"><strong>CORDILLERA BUSH FIRES</strong></span></div><p><span dir="ltr"></span>Meanwhile, Purucan said bush fires in the Cordillera region may be extinguished within 3-5 days. <span dir="ltr">Out of the 72 reported bush fires, only 3 are still ongoing but already remain under control.</span></p><div><span dir="ltr">Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos urged the public to be responsible while camping or hiking in the mountains, as many fires start from abandoned campfires.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">“Alam ko summer ngayon. Marami sa atin magcacamping sa bundok, magha-hiking. Let us be responsible for our actions kasi minsan aalis na lang. &#x27;Yan &#x27;yung mga naiwan na pinag-anohan ng apoy, &#x27;yung doon nagsisimula. Lumiliyab,&quot; Abalos said in a press briefing in Quezon City.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">(I know it&#x27;s summer time and a lot of us will be hiking. Let us be responsible for our actions because abandoned bonfires may cause sparking which leads to fires.) </span></div><div><span dir="ltr">One challenge firefighters face is responding to fires in tall buildings. BFP fire ladders can only reach a maximum of 18 floors.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">Abalos said the BFP is purchasing helicopters for fire response, noting that the Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia without a helicopter to put out fires.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">The BFP Modernization program also includes the acquisition of new fire trucks and the construction of fire stations.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">According to Abalos, there are currently 123 local government units without fire stations and fire trucks, particularly in the BARMM. The funds collected from fire code fees will be used to purchase new fire trucks and helicopters.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr"> &quot;Sa guidance ng ating mahal na Pangulo, pipilitin natin within this year na lahat ito ay magkaroon na ng fire station at fire trucks at hindi lamang &#x27;yun sinabi ko kay Gen. Puracan na it&#x27;s about time na magkaroon  na tayo ng helicopter na may bucket,&quot; he said.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">(We&#x27;ll try to do all of these by this year, build fire stations and get fire trucks, and not just my concern over needing a helicopter with a bucket.) </span></div>

<p>Fire incidents in the country increased by 26 percent, the Bureau of Fire Protection said, a few days after the fire prevention month kicked in. </p>

Fire incidents in the country increased by 26 percent, the Bureau of Fire Protection said, a few days after the fire prevention month kicked in.

'Red hot quarter': Fire incidents in PH up 26 pct

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'Red hot quarter': Fire incidents in PH up 26 pct

ABS-CBN News,

Dennis Datu

Published Mar 05, 2024 03:38 PM PHT

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