BFP records 10 fireworks-related blazes on New Year

DAZZLERS HIGH AND LOW Fireworks light up the Eastwood City commercial and corporate district in Libis, Quezon City, with the silhouette of the Christ the King Parish church in the foreground (left photo). —LYN RILLON/WILLIE LOMIBAO

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) recorded 10 fire incidents related to fireworks and firecrackers during the New Year celebrations.

BFP spokesperson Supt. Annalee Atienza bared this figure on Monday, noting that this is higher compared to its record in 2020 and 2021.

“Mas mataas tayo ngayon dahil nga iyong 2021 at 2020 ay pandemic days natin so malaking bagay iyong pag-total ban noong panahon na iyon,” she said in a Laging Handa public briefing.

(It’s currently higher compared to 2021 and 2020 when we were under the pandemic, so the total ban played a big part in that.)

Atienza noted that most fire incidents were triggered by kwitis, considered a legal firework.

She also said most of the blazes were recorded in residential areas since BFP had deployed firetrucks and manpower to be on standby in the common places designated for the fireworks display of local government units.

Atienza did not disclose the total fire incidents related to fireworks and firecrackers during the celebration of the New Year in 2020 and 2021.

INQUIRER.net has also reached out to the BFP for the said data, but no response yet as of posting time.

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