ILOILO – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is urging the public to be “fire conscious” to avoid fire incidents and loss of lives.
March is Fire Prevention.
BFP provincial director Fire Superintendent Christopher Regencia said amid the pandemic, the bureau is sounding the call, hoping they could achieve the target of zero fire incident and casualty.
The BFP recorded 783 fire cases in Iloilo province in 2020 with losses amounting to P63.17 million, and 532 cases in 2021 with P105.32 million worth of property destroyed.
“The incidents (in 2021) were lower because it was during this time that people were just in their homes due to the coronavirus pandemic,” Regencia said.
Damage last year was higher due to the fire that razed the public market of Oton town on Dec. 20.
A total of 159 fire incidents were recorded in the first two months of the year, with losses reaching more than P16.6 million.
The BFP recorded 14 deaths in the past two years – eight in 2020 and six in 2021.
The injured reached 25 civilians and four firefighters in 2020, and 18 civilians last year.
Regencia said in case of fire, the affected household may put off the blaze while it is still at an early stage but once it is already on the advanced stage, they are advised to immediately evacuate to secure their lives.
“The fire is on its advanced stage when almost one-half of the house has been burned, and there is no chance that it can be put off through (the) bucket brigade, especially when the BFP is not yet around,” he said.
On March 4, the BFP gathered selected learners from various schools for the poster-making and essay-writing contests.
During the contest, BFP personnel shared fire prevention tips. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
