Electrical issues remain most common cause of fire —BFP data

Most of the fire incidents reported since January this year were due to electrical issues, data from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) showed.

From January 1 to February 27, the BFP said a total of 2,307 fire incidents have been recorded and 625 of these cases were caused by electrical issues. Electrical issues were also the most common cause of fire in the same period last year with 1,181 cases.

Aside from electrical issues, the following are the other common causes of fire incidents this year so far:

• open flame - 398
• embers and sparks - 158
• motor vehicular - 52
• natural - 43
• spontaneous combustion - 30
• explosion - 21
• fireworks and pyrotechnics - 16

A total of 74 fatalities were reported this year including 70 civilians and four members of law enforcement agencies, the BFP data showed.

Meanwhile, a total of 209 injured persons were reported including 190 civilians, 12 BFP firefighters, five members of law enforcement agencies, and two volunteers.

Damage worth P1,609,188,402 in total was also reported.

The number of fire incidents decreased by 38% from 3,733 in January 1 to February 27, 2024 to 2,307 in the same period this year, according to the BFP.

Fire Prevention Month

On Saturday, the BFP is set to kick off the Fire Prevention Month, which will focus on raising awareness on protecting persons with disabilities (PWD) and other vulnerable individuals.

“The 2025 Fire Prevention Month Campaign of the BFP centers on raising awareness on the absolute necessity for every member of the community to protect those individuals who cannot protect themselves from destructive fires,” the BFP said.

According to the BFP,  the number of PWD casualties in fire incidents from 2013 to 2023 averaged at four people every quarter, with 2022 garnering the highest percentage of PWD casualties at 17.3%.

The BFP produced an advocacy video “Baldado,” written and directed by actor John Arcilla, which follows a senior citizen who is aware and conscious of potential causes of fire that the people around him are neglecting or unmindful of.

“When normal people could easily run away from fires, those who are vulnerable such as the PWDs, senior citizens, and those needing special care could not and will definitely fall victim to fire,” the BFP said.

Aside from this, the BFP is also set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with PAGIBIG Fund to help BFP personnel gain access to more affordable, easy, and convenient housing programs. —AOL, GMA Integrated News