ILOILO City – This month, the Iloilo City Fire Station has been responding to three to five fire calls daily. These calls range from residential fires to grass or rubbish fires and utility pole fires.
As March, designated as Fire Prevention Month, nears, Fire Superintendent Melanie Habawel, the city fire marshal, has noted an uptick in grass and rubbish fire reports.
She attributed this increase to the dry season spanning from February through April, during which leaves become particularly flammable.
“Lighted cigarette butts, often discarded carelessly, are the primary cause of grass fires,” said Habawel, underscoring the need for public awareness about proper disposal of cigarette butts, especially in areas prone to catching fire.
Regarding utility pole fires, Habawel pointed out various contributing factors, including adverse weather conditions and the deterioration of lines or materials.
Compared to grass and utility pole fires, residential fire calls are less frequent. Nonetheless, most residential fires stem from unattended candles and electrical issues, such as short circuits.
A recent fire incident in Barangay San Nicolas, La Paz district, resulted in two fatalities, with preliminary investigations suggesting electrical problems as the likely cause.
“Our analysis at the scene focuses on the most damaged areas to determine the fire’s origin, following specific fire patterns to identify possible ignition sources,” said Habawel.
Currently, investigations are underway to pinpoint the exact cause of the fire in homes owned by Salvacion Lopez and Arnel Tormon.
On the readiness of fire-prone barangays in Iloilo City, Habawel affirmed the Fire Station’s commitment to raising awareness through “Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan”, an initiative aimed at educating communities on fire prevention and response.
Each year, the City Fire Station selects 13 barangays for this program, aiming to establish Community Fire Auxiliary Groups as first responders until the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) arrives. These groups receive training in firefighting techniques.
Moreover, fire-prone barangays are advised to install dry standpipes, improving fire response effectiveness.
“Our role includes recommending and testing the operational status of these standpipes, though the initiative primarily falls to barangay officials,” said Habawel.
Habawel urged the public to promptly report fires to avoid delays in response, a common issue attributed to late or non-existent calls to their office./PN
