Fire officer denies lapses in hotline system

CITY Fire Marshall Richard Villanueva denied allegations that personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) were lax in responding to a call to an ongoing fire in Ledesma Street, last July 12.

Villanueva admitted there was delay when his men responded to a call of one of the residents but said this could not be attributed to them, but to the person who made the call.

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He showed reporters a copy of the initial investigation report. Villanueva said the fire, which burned houses 50 and 51, started at around 1:40 a.m. The BFP got the call at around 2:23 a.m.

Before the call to the BFP, a call from one of the residents was made to Patrol 117. The call was traced to have been made at around 2:20 a.m.

Patrol 117 is the police and fire hotline number of the city.

Villanueva said Patrol 117 never relayed the call to the BFP, which further delayed their response.

Villanueva said when his men arrived at the site the fire was already in its advanced stage. Immediately, a "cooling" operation was done to stop its spread.

Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda submitted a proposed resolution seeking for an investigation on how the BFP responded to the July 12 fire.

Tabanda alleged there was no clear protocol on who is in charge in giving orders while the incident is in progress.

Villanueva countered, he has a deputy to take charge when he is not available. He also said Tabanda's call for an investigation is welcome so he could explain the BFP's side. (Rimaliza Opiña)