The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reminded households, especially those in crowded areas, to be more cautious following a string of fire incidents that recently hit various residential communities in Metro Manila.
Senior Supt. Bobby Baruelo, BFP Assistant Regional Director for Administration and concurrent Quezon City Fire marshall, advised residents to get involved in programs and measures concerning fire prevention.
The country is set to observe Fire Prevention Month next month.
The observance of Fire Prevention Month began in 1967, under Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A. The month of March was chosen as it marks the start of the summer season, during which most fires occur.
The BFP is tasked to spearhead information dissemination and other programs during its month-long observance.
Baruelo, meanwhile, stressed that fire prevention is not only a month-long awareness but should be a year-round preparation.
“It isn’t summer yet and we already have several fire incidents. That is why we need to be more cautious,” he said.
On Tuesday, fire incidents hit Quezon City, Valenzuela and Tondo in Manila. Hundreds of families were rendered homeless while three people perished in the Tondo blaze.
Another fire Tuesday night destroyed P200,000 worth of properties at the Manila Film Center in Pasay City.
At least 100 families, meanwhile, lost their homes in a fire early yesterday morning in Quezon City.
BFP records show that fire incidents usually rise during the summer season. Metro Manila remains in the top in terms of number of occurrences, properties damaged and lives perished.
