More deaths due to fire in 2016

CEBU, Philippines - The number of deaths due to fire in Central Visayas has more than quadrupled last year compared to incidents in 2015.

Bureau of Fire and Protection-7 Director Samuel Tadeo said at least 34 deaths in 842 fire-related incidents were recorded in 2016 compared to just eight deaths in 1, 045 incidents the year before. The incidents last year also resulted to P85.87 million in damage to property, which is lower than the P99.58 million recorded last 2015.

Tadeo said said that children who were left by their parents inside their homes while they were away were among the fatalities last year.

He said most victims died of suffocation as they opted to run to their bathrooms when they saw fire and got trapped.

“’Pag magkaroon ng sunog, yung takbo nila sa banyo eh.  Yung iniisip kasi nila may tubig. Akala nila safe na safe na sila doon. Pero yun nga may usok (na pumapasok) kaya dapat talaga pilitin mo talagang lumabas sa bahay,” he said.

Tadeo said that because of the increase in the number of fatalities, BFP-7 would intensify their fire prevention campaign at the barangay level.

“Yung instruction ko talaga sa ground namin ay yung massive talaga yung information campaign ngayon. Kaya pinababa ko yung mga tao ko sa bawat barangay para magkaroon talaga ng ugnayan, tapos magkaroon ng house-to-house campaign,” he said.

The fire department chief said they would also conduct fire drills and demonstrations on how to escape as well as how to protect or shield the body while going out from a burning house.

As to the common cause of fire, he said house owners are not responsible in managing the connection of electrical wires.

“Pagkaganoon kasi na dumadami yung mga electrical na gamit mo sa bahay, umiinit yung mga wires… Kaya nagkakaroon po mismo ng overloading (ng electricity) o di kaya loose electrical connection,” he said.

Tadeo reminded the public to be extra careful, especially that it would be “summer” soon, when more fires break out.

He also said that since March is fire prevention month, they would start the month with a motorcade at 10 a.m. today to be participated in by several offices and organizations, like the Philippine National Police and the Cebu City government, as well as by fire brigade volunteers.

A public demonstration of fire safety tips at the BFP-7 would follow soon after. (FREEMAN)