Caloocan mall a fire hazard - BFP

CALOOCAN CITY - The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has declared the Ever Gotesco Grand Central Mall in Monumento in Caloocan City as a “fire hazard,” saying the building violates several provisions of the fire code.

BFP director Rolando Bandilla said the mall has inappropriate directional signs, exit signs that were not luminous, defective emergency lights, and its exits did not lead to the street or highway.

During an inspection in preparation for the Christmas season, Banilla also noted that liquefied petroleum gas tanks were stored in the building, which had inadequate warning or safety signs installed, and stalls obstructed its stair landing.

He said the mall’s fire exits are obstructed and utilized as employees’ passageways; exit doors do not swing outward nor do they automatically close after being opened.

As for the mall’s cinema, Bandilla said the fire exit is too far away, the exit stair is insufficient in size, there are no emergency lights at the exit and the stairway leading to it, and the exit door does not automatically close.

“To avoid the tragic incident like the Ozone Disco fire, the strict compliance of the Fire Code of the Philippines should be properly implemented,” Bandilla said.      – Cecille Suerte Felipe