Failure to put out mall fire blamed on lack of equipment
MANILA, Philippines - The lack of equipment has been blamed for the failure of firefighters to put out the fire at the Ever Gotesco Grand Central Mall in Caloocan City, which broke out Friday night.
In a television interview, Oscar de Asis, Caloocan City fire marshal Superintendent, said firefighters lacked equipment such as breathing apparatus to fully pot out the fire.
"Yes, we lacked equipment, including breathing apparatuses. We've been trying to put out this fire for more than two days already. We are tired, including the volunteers," de Asis said.
De Asis said the agency's modernization program is still "pending", but said that meanwhile, they would have to make do with their equipment.
The Grand Central fire reportedly broke out from a shoe stall on the mall's ground floor. The fire has reportedly destroyed about 90 percent of the mall.
Nearly 200 fire incidents have been recorded in the country since the beginning of March, which has been designated as Fire Prevention Month to raise awareness about fire and safety.
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