BFP: Fires up 40 percent ; 9,568 logged since January

MANILA, Philippines — At least 9,568 fires have been recorded nationwide since January, causing damage amounting to P4.276 billion, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported yesterday.

The BFP said the number of fire incidents represents an increase of 40 percent compared to 6,815 recorded during the same period last year.

Damage to property from fires last year was placed at P4.206 billion.

The BFP said an increase in the number of civilian casualties was also recorded, with 165 dead compared to 123 last year aside from 496 injured. Forty-six BFP personnel were also injured in the fires.

The top causes of fires were open flames from rubbish fires or bonfires at 1,126 cases followed by smoking, with 749 cases, and open flame from farmland or clearing operations, 524.

At least 376 fires were caused by electrical ignition due to arcing, 240 due to loose connections and 433 due to open flames from cooking.

More than half of the fires were deemed accidental while 3,391 cases are still under investigation. 

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy was injured in a fire that razed a residential area in Barangay Molino IV in Bacoor, Cavite on Thursday.

Police said 36 houses were destroyed in the fire.

In Laguna, an alias Ricky was arrested after he allegedly set his house on fire. Seven other shanties in Barangay Nueva in San Pedro City were destroyed.