Fire incidents up by more than 36% in Q1 2024

The fire incidents in the country is higher by more than 30 percent for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year and the most common cause is an electric fans that overheated or was overused.

There is also the issue of the lack of fire trucks and fore stations in more than 100 municipalities, according to the report of GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon's Cris Zuñiga on "Saksi."

The data of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) showed that there were 8,189 fire incidents reported in different parts of the country from January 1 to April 25, 2024.

The figure is 36.03 percent higher in the same period in 2023 wherein there were 6,020 cases reported.

With the increase in the number of fire incidents, there is still a lack of fire trucks and fire stations in 120 municipalities.

"As of March opo, ang ating kakulangan pa rin po ng fire truck at fire station (ay) nasa 120 municipalities, and these are mga island areas," said BFP Spokesperson FS Superintendent Annalee Carbajal-Atienza in an interview over Super Radyo DZBB.

"The good thing is ongoing na nga po ang collaborations natin at nagkakaroon na nga po ng signing ng Deed of Donation for the lot kung saan itatayo yung ating mga fire station," she added.

The BFP also noted that many of the fire incidents were caused by the over use of electric fans.

"Isa yan sa mga nagiging investigation natin. Lumalabas na electric fan (na) overused o nag overheat na dahil nga 24 hours nang ginagamit," said Carbajal-Atienza.

The BFP issued a reminder to the public to check their electric fans regularly.

"I-check din natin ito, lalo na pag padating na yung tag-init. Kung ilang years naman na yan ginagamit at ilang beses na ring na-repair, might as well bumili na lang po," she said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News