Public warned vs impostor selling fire extinguishers

The public was warned yesterday against the illegal activities of a fire extinguisher dealer who posed as a fire safety inspector to intimidate building owners in buying his brand of firefighting equipment.

Francisco Senot, chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) vowed to unmask the fire extinguisher dealer and gather evidence to prosecute him under the law. Senot said his office is presently coordinating with building owners victimized by the fire extinguisher dealer in his racket.

The BFP chief ordered an investigation following complaints lodged by building owners in Metro Manila, particularly in Quezon City. The modus operandi of the impostor is to look, during his unauthorized fire safety inspection, for buildings with fire safety violations and demand from violators to buy his brand of fire extinguishers, said Senot.

Under the Fire Code of the Philippines, only the fire chief or his representatives are authorized to issue fire inspection permit. – Non Alquitran