THE blaze that hit a London high-rise apartment last week killing 12 people should serve as a warning for Metro Cebu with local high-rises sprouting. Our fire department simply lack the equipment to battle high rise fires.
Would having one aerial ladder that can help rescue people up to the 18th floor be an assurance? What should one do if trapped on the 19th floor or higher? How could well-trained firefighters help you if they could not get to you fast? Manguros na lang?
Aside from firefighting equipment, two things about the London fire concern us.
One, the residents complained for years about “shoddy maintenance and smoking electrical equipment.” This stresses the need for regular inspections by fire officials.
Two, the London fire travelled faster to other parts of the old building through the exterior cladding. These supposedly insulate the building against the weather. Besides, it makes old buildings look better. However, such insulators are usually made of foamed hydro carbons which burn fast.
Let me add the incident at Resorts World Manila where 38 people died because of the thick smoke.
I guess the problem of how to battle high rise fires goes beyond better firefighting equipment and better firefighters. It also means strict and regular inspections of fire safety.
Finally, developers of such tall buildings should be updated on the latest technology. And they should not scrimp.
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I was interviewing the bosses of the El Camino group, the men behind the planned plush 38-storey Park Avenue at the Cebu IT Park, for a planned advertorial (disclosure: the Cebu Landmasters Inc. is a PRworks client).
The London fire was not part of the questions but the group’s key personalities Joe Soberano, Bob Gothong, Rere King and Enzo Almario nevertheless talked about fire safety concerns.
Fire-resistant materials and modern sprinkler systems are critical technologies to protect tall buildings. I now understand, these would help in containing a potential fire to the room of origin. Then, there is the building design and alarms that place importance on evacuating many people fast but as orderly as possible in case of emergencies.
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Even if Mayor Tomas Osmeña was abroad, City Administrator Paul Villarete’s men inspected the SM City elevator that fell the other week. Ana gyud. Nganong molugak man kon wala ang mayor?
Nonetheless, it seems the mayor has shown that opposition moves like the filing of complaints, the recall plan, and election recount did not threaten him. Look, the mayor even named opposition leader Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella as acting mayor.
Come to think of it, Osmeña’s absence was an opportunity for Labella to show what he can do differently if he becomes mayor.
However, the acting mayor echoed the views of Tommy O on the underpass and flyover issues. Ok ra kaha ang MLC ini? Then last Independence Day, Labella and former mayor Mike Rama led separate Independence Day celebrations instead of showing unity. Hmmm, is there smoke?