BFP: At least 11 fires greet 2007

At least 11 fires broke out nationwide on the first day of the year, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) disclosed yesterday.

BFP spokesman Chief Inspector Renato Marcial said the figure is expected to go up as BFP offices in other regions have yet to submit their respective reports.

There were already 11 fires reported as early as 12:01 a.m. yesterday across the country as Filipinos welcomed the New Year, Marcial said.

For the month of December, Marcial pointed out, an average of 4.6 fires occurred in Metro Manila, most of them in densely populated areas.

"In the NCR (National Capital Region) there was only a total of 145 fire incidents with an estimated P96 million worth of property either damaged or destroyed from Dec. 1 to 31, 2006."

Marcial also revealed that the 145 fires last December was about half compared to the 236 fires last year.

BFP officials attributed the decrease in the number of fires during the holidays to better public awareness. The bureau stepped up its public information campaign weeks ahead of the holidays.

BFP director Chief Superintendent Jose Collado also thanked all the regional, provincial and station fire marshals and their men for making sacrifices by staying on the job during the holidays.

Collado cancelled all vacations and days off of firefighters to ensure there was enough men to respond to an anticipated increase in fires last month.

Firefighters battled at least two fires in Manila.

In Sta. Ana district, a fire reportedly caused by firecrackers hit a residential area. Arson investigators said the fire started shortly after midnight and destroyed five houses. The fire was put out after 20 minutes.

In Binondo, a fire of still undetermined origin struck a warehouse at around 5:45 p.m. The fire was put out after 30 minutes. No one was reported injured in both fires.

In Las Piñas, a church caught fire during the New Year’s Eve revelry.

Senior Fire Officer 2 Roberto Nolan, officer-on-case, said the blaze hit the Mary Immaculate Parish Church in Moonwalk Village in Barangay Talon 5 at around 12:21 a.m.

The fire was reportedly caused by a firecracker that landed on the church roof, which was only built with dried anahaw leaves.

Apart from the roofing, a portion of the church’s walls was also burned.

Firefighters put out the blaze at around 1 a.m. No one was reported injured.

At least five fires, meanwhile, broke out in northern Metro Manila. None was reported hurt.

In Caloocan City, a fire of still undetermined origin hit a house on M. Ponce corner Zapote streets in Bagong Barrio at 10:20 a.m. while another broke out at 5:09 p.m. the same day in 6th Avenue.

In Barangay Ibaba, Malabon, a fire nearly destroyed a two-storey residential building. Senior Fire Officer Alvin Torres said the fire started in the stockroom on the ground floor where cases of softdrink bottles were stored.

In Navotas, meanwhile, two fires blamed on firecrackers broke out.

One fire began in the house of Marianito Gomez in Barangay San Jose at around 12:05 a.m. and was put out about half an hour later. Damage to property was estimated at P500,000.

Another fire, in Barangay Navotas East, broke out at 12:24 a.m. in the house of Severino Sta. Monica.

Fire Officer Rolando de la Cruz said the fire damaged only about P20,000 worth of property. It was immediately put out with the help from alert residents. — With Nestor Etolle, Rhodina Villanueva, Jerry Botial