On New Year’s Day, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported nine fire incidents in Metro Manila, a significant decrease from the 54 fires recorded on the same date last year.
The most notable incident occurred in Malabon City, where a third-alarm fire broke out at a general merchandise building around 5 a.m.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
BFP spokesperson Fire Senior Supt. Annalee Carbajal-Atienza attributed the reduction in fire incidents to increased public awareness of fire prevention measures during New Year celebrations.
She emphasized that firecrackers, especially those like “kwitis” (sky rockets), can be unpredictable and pose fire risks if not handled properly.
Atienza also noted that even legal firecrackers could cause fires if not used safely.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 2, 2025
