Tuesday, March 04, 2008 Oro blaze up by 25% By Annabelle L. Ricalde
FIRE incidents in Cagayan de Oro City went up by 25 percent in 2007 compared to the previous year, with many of the fire victims negligent to warnings issued by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) every year.
"Actually this is one of our serious problem. Fire occur because of the negligence of the victims," BFP's assistant regional director for operation Lindy C. Lauzon told reporters at the Talakayan sa PIA Monday.
Lauzon warned that the fire department would teach negligent fire victims a hard lesson this year by filing criminal charges for property damages.
He said most of the fire incidents this year was caused by unattended lighted candles, oil, gas or lamps, and overloaded electrical outlets or circuits, among others.
"Dapat dili gyud magpasagad sama sa theme karon nga 'Prevent Fire, be Informed, get involved' so everyone should get involved to avoid accident," Lauzon said.
A total of 55 fire incidents were recorded at the BFP operation center, 25 percent higher compared to 44 incidents recorded in 2006. The BFP reported P6,071,400 of properties burned in 2007.
In whole Northern Mindanao, fire incidents went up by 12 percent in 2007 compared to the previous year with 14 fatalities and 19 injuries, while a total of 263 fire incidents was recorded, 12 percent higher compared to 235 recorded in 2006.
Lauzon admitted that based on their record, there was an increase of fire incidents in 2007 in Northern Mindanao, although incidents in some cities and municipalities in the region went down.
