Dumaguete BFP calls for vigilance vs. fires amid El Niño

DUMAGUETE CITY – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) here has cautioned the public against activities that may exacerbate fire hazards amid the searing heat brought about by the El Niño phenomenon.

“We should be vigilant and careful in observing practices to avoid fire risks, especially with the hot weather that would provide suitable conditions to ignite a fire,” BFP City Fire Marshall Chief Inspector Marlon Chomling said on Tuesday.

His reminder came following a fire late Monday afternoon that razed three lodging houses here.

Chomling advised residents to inspect electrical appliances for faulty wiring, conserve water to avoid a reduction in the city’s supply, stop burning trash and reckless throwing of cigarette butts in highly combustible places such as dried grasslands, and the wise use of electric devices that may overheat.

While the city still has enough water supply, he said the fire department sometimes has to look for alternative fire hydrants as the water pressure drops due to the heavy volume of usage.

Meanwhile, fire probers have yet to determine the cause of a fire that razed three units of two-story residential buildings along the national highway in Barangay Daro on Monday.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) said the blaze affected two senior citizens and 19 lodgers, many of them students. No casualty was reported.

They are now accommodated at the Barangay Daro gymnasium, while the City Social Welfare and Development Office immediately handed out food and sleeping kits.

Chomling estimated the extent of damage at PHP400,000. (PNA)