INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — A total of 941 fire incidents have been recorded nationwide in December 2024, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said on Tuesday.
BFP Spokesperson Fire Senior Superintendent Annalee Atienza said the tally is 32 percent lower than the previous year’s total of 1,390 fire incidents nationwide.
“Yung insidente po ng sunog relative to firecrackers ay mas mababa po tayo ngayon kumpara po noong nakaraang taon,” Atienza said in a Teleradyo interview.
(The number of fire-related incidents caused by firecrackers is significantly lower this year than last year.)
Atienza noted that the fires recorded this December were primarily caused by electrical ignition and open flames from cooking.
“Majority po dito ay electrical ignition, so ito po again ang may kinalaman sa ating linya ng kuryente sa ating mga bahay-bahay,” she said.
(The majority of these incidents are due to electrical ignition, which is related to the electrical lines in our homes.)
“Sumunod po dito ang open flame from cooking. Dahil nga po eto, kaliwa’t kanan ang pagluluto. Sana po huwag iwanan, at ang proper handling ng ating LPG, gas stove, firewood,” she added.
(Open flames from cooking is the second most common cause, especially with the surge in cooking activities. We urge everyone to be mindful when cooking and to ensure the proper handling of LPG, gas stoves, and firewood.)
The BFP said they deployed their teams and logistical support to respond to possible fire incidents nationwide, especially during the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
“Siyempre po dalangin natin na walang mangyari na, pero again, expect the worst pa rin. Nakahanda ang ating tropas nationwide. Nakaantabay po yan sa ano man pong tawag ang kailanganin ng ating community,” the BFP spokesperson said.
(Of course, we pray that nothing bad happens, but again, we must always expect the worst. The BFP is ready and on standby, prepared for any requests or support our community may need.)
“As much as we can, lahat ng logistical support natin on ready standby status. Kaya minsan talagang nag-aaugment yung nearby municipality na malapit doon sa fire scene,” she added.
(As much as we can, all our logistical support is on standby. That’s why, at times, nearby municipalities close to the fire scene step in to augment the response efforts.)
Atienza likewise underscored that they are employing a recorrida in the morning, noon, and afternoon, alongside public awareness campaigns to prevent fire incidents in the country.
“Kasama po yan sa ating Oplan Paalala, ‘yung tinatawag nating recorrida simula umaga, tanghali at hapon. Kasabay na ng ating pagbibigay ng public awareness is pag-monitor kung sakaling mayroon nga doon sa lugar na ‘yon, kailanganin ang Bureau of Fire [Protection] agad-agad, nasa kalsada na ang mga fire trucks po natin,” she noted.
(Included in our Oplan Paalala is the recorrida, which takes place in the morning, noon, and afternoon. Along with raising public awareness, we also monitor areas where the Bureau of Fire Protection may be needed. Our fire trucks are always ready and on the road, prepared for immediate response if necessary.)