BFP: Fewer fire incidents in New Year 2025, public was ‘more careful’

INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Fewer fire incidents were logged in New Year celebrations, thanks to the public being “more careful,” according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

“So far, the national headquarters received a report of one incident. However, in the unofficial count, we noted nine fire incidents in NCR from 12:17 a.m. until 5:21 a.m.,” BFP spokesperson Fire Senior Supt. Annalee Carbajal-Atienza said in Filipino over DZBB on Wednesday morning.

“It’s fewer this year than it was last year. Although the official report this year says there is one fire incident on January 1, last year it was 54. So, we can see the difference in the decrease,” she added.

Carbajal-Atienza, however, said the BFP has yet to determine the causes of the fire incidents.

When asked if anti-illegal firecracker measures made the public “more careful” during the New Year celebrations, the BFP spokesperson said, “That’s where we can attribute this huge decrease in incidents.”

“They must’ve been traumatized by what has happened to others. It is sad to note that they became the ‘sacrificial lamb’ so that our community will learn,” she added.