Public warned against substandard appliances

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Fire Department has warned the public against buying substandard electric appliances that might cause fire, especially during these “Ber months.” 

City fire marshal Aderson Comar said the public should refrain from using electric appliances without proper quality seal from the Department of Trade and Industry.

According to him, “basta mo sulod na ang ber months mo daghan napud ang mo-palit og mga electric appliances.” 

To prevent fires during the rest of the Ber months, Comar advised to public, especially those who are renting rooms, to check their house wirings and their respective electrical load to prevent fires.

Comar cited the recent fire in Barangay Apas wherein fire investigators are looking into the possibility that “electrical misuse” may have caused the fire because of the number of boarding houses in the area.

“Kun mag Ber months na gali, daghan magpalit og mga appliances mao nga i-patan-aw gyud kun pwede pa ang additional load sa usa ka balay,” Comar said.

If a household exceeds its load capacity, there is a possibility that electrical wirings throughout the house might overheat which can lead to fire.

The fire department is still in the process of identifying the source of the fire in Apas the other night. The fire in Apas started at around 6:30 p.m. and razed 17 houses with an estimated damage of more than P300, 000.

The affected area has already been declared under state of calamity. Affected residents were temporary housed in two chapels near the area while the Cebu City government through the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) has started food and other relief goods distribution.  (FREEMAN)