Fire incidents at year’s start fewer but damage cost higher

Jan. 23, 2015

By Elmer Mandigal and Arcadel Solano, Davao Today Interns

DAVAO CITY – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) here said that there were fewer cases of fire this January compared to the same month last year, but cost of damage may become higher if there would be additional cases.

The BFP recorded 20 fire incidents in January last year, while there were only nine cases with one more week to go before the month ends.

Fire Officer 1 John Alocelja said the damage to fire incidents in January last year was P4,953,500 where residences posted the highest damage cost.

On the other hand, the damage cost of fire this month already reached P4,950,000.

Alocelja said electrical problem was the main cause of fire this month.

Street congestion worsen the incidents as response are slowed down.

“Actually, we are only given seven minutes response time,” Alocelja said.

“We also have to consider the traffic condition, no matter how loud the siren, the response is still affected when the streets are congested,” he added.

The road condition and the terrain are also reasons why the fire trucks can not easily pass through, Alocelja said.

The fire stations have been placed in strategic positions to cover as many areas as possible. (davaotoday.com)

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