Cigarette caused NAIA fire that gutted 19 cars—BFP

Improperly disposed of cigarette butts caused the fire that engulfed several vehicles at the extension parking area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in April, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

“Doon mismo kung saan nagsimula ang sunog, napakaraming cigarette butts na nakuha namin,” said BFP Arson Investigation Division Chief Fire Superintendent Bayani Zambrano said in Joseph Morong’s “24 Oras” report on Tuesday. 

(We gathered cigarette butts in the area where the fire started.)

“No other ignition source except for the cigarette butts yun ang probable ignition source natin. Walang kuryente dun, wala namang pwedeng pagsimulan,” he added. 

(No other ignition source except for the cigarette butts, that’s our probable ignition source. There’s no electricity source in the area so that’s the only possible cause of the fire.)

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) last month said at least 19 cars parked at the open space leased by the Philippine Skylanders International, Inc. (PSI) were affected by the fire. 

The BFP ruled the fire incident as an accident, saying a cigarette butt burned the fuel hose of a black SUV. It also attributed the swift spread of the blaze to the extreme temperature, strong winds, and dried grass.

The BFP did not recommend the filing of charges against any individuals. 

“Parang baga pa lang, parang hinihipan ng hangin ‘yan hanggang sa lumakas nang lumakas. It takes siguro 20 to 25 minutes bago siya tuluyang umapoy at gumapang,” said Zambrano. 

(It spread swiftly because of the winds. It took 20 to 25 minutes.)

“Nung nag-drip 'yun, syempre nag-add 'yung fuel load sa dried leaves doon nabutas hanggang 'yung buong tangke nya ay nabutas nya kaya medyo malakas yung naging labas ng krudo,” he said. 

(When it dripped, the  fuel combined with the dried leaves, which led to the burning of the whole car tank.)

GMA Integrated News reached out to the PSI for a statement but no one was authorized to comment. The concessionaire previously said it would compensate the affected car owners. 

The BFP reminded the public to properly dispose of cigarette waste. 

“Nandun na yung oxygen eh. Although inverse siya, baga siya, kaya lang dahil sobrang init ng panahon na yun then at the same time malakas din yung hangin dun kasi open space. Parang ano lang yan kung nagluluto ka, nagba-barbecue ka, uling pag sinobrahan mo hangin talagang aapoy sya,” said  Zambrano. 

(There’s oxygen, the hot weather, and a strong breeze in an open space. It’s like barbecuing, the fire will grow if there’s wind.) — Sundy Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News