GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) warned residents on Tuesday of the increasing fires in the city in the last two weeks that were caused by electrical-related problems.
Senior Fire Officer 3 Rey Allan Imperio, BFP investigation and intelligence chief here, said their investigation showed that most of the 10 fires recorded in the area this month were due to “electrical ignition.”
“Our investigation is still ongoing but it showed that the source of these fires was the electrical (systems),” he said in an interview over local television show “Morning Hataw.”
The BFP earlier reported that over PHP2 million worth of properties had been destroyed in the recent fires in the city, one of which killed an American missionary couple.
On Monday morning, at least 18 families were left homeless after a fire gutted down some 16 houses in a crowded portion of Purok 6 Lagang-lagang in Barangay Bula.
The incident, which left estimated damage to properties of around PHP150,000, reportedly started at the room of a house owned by the family of Jupheter Serafin.
Fire investigators said most of the houses, some made of light materials, were connected to a single electric meter.
Imperio said since most residents are at home due to the continuing coronavirus disease 2019 or Covid-19 pandemic, electrical usage has been also increasing.
He said activities with heavy power usage could cause problems with the electrical systems and connections.
Fires could also be triggered by unattended candles during power outages as well as liquefied petroleum gas stoves and related materials, he said.
“There’s also the risk with young children aged seven years old and below playing with matches and lighters,” he said.
Imperio said residents should unplug appliances when leaving their homes and avoid overcharging their gadgets.
For building and house owners, he added that it is important for them to have their electrical systems inspected periodically by licensed electricians. (PNA)
