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The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Monday gave a walkthrough of the May 13 Valenzuela fire factory that claimed 72 lives.
Speaking at the Malacañan Palace press conference, BFP chief Ariel Barayuga said there were two major factors that resulted in the large number of casualties – the building had no sprinkler system and a secondary stairwell that could have been used by the victims was not protected with firewall.
Barayuga said it has been well established that a welding accident triggered the fire at the first floor roll-up door of the factory where some 400 sacks of highly combustible chemicals were also located.
When the fire erupted, thick smoke quickly went up the second floor through the door.
”Nag-produce ito ng makapal na usok, toxic fumes. Pumanik ito sa hagdan at dahil may canopy, naging channel pa ito ng pagtakbo ng usok sa second floor,” Barayuga said.
”Itong second floor nakabukas ang pinto na dapat sana, sa main exit, laging naka-close…Dito pumasok ang usok at apoy, pumunta sa loob.”
Barayuga said at least four factory workers braved the thick smoke and fire and jumped through the main second floor exit.
However, 69 other workers were trapped on the second floor.
Barayuga said they could have used the other stairs at the opposite end of the building but fire also reached this portion.
”Itong secondary exit eh hindi protected. Dapat siya ay may walls sana nang sa ganoon, kapag merong apoy, makakadaan ang ating mga occupants,” he said.
Barayuga said a sprinkler system could have also helped the trapped workers escape from the burning building.
“Kung mayroong sprinkler mapo-protektahan ang manggagawa, makakababa sana sila dito. Unfortunately, wala na ngang sprinkler, wala pang enclosure. Wala po talagang tsansa na makadaan sa secondary exit ang mga manggagawa,” he said.
Barayuga said since the fire, the BFP conducted inspections of all the industrial establishments in Valenzuela City.
He said 23 establishments inspected were found to have fire safety issues. One of these were ordered closed because it was essentially a fire trap.
”Doon sa loob ng isinara na iyon, sa loob ng pabrika, mayroong mga shanties. Doon na natutulog ang mga workers, kung kaya nga po, it was a virtual fire trap, kaya ipinasara na ito sa tulong ng local na pamahalaan,” he said.
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.