THE Zamboanga City Fire District (ZCFD) announced that an estimated P56.81 million worth of properties went up in smoke as a result of the 436 fire incidents recorded in 2019.
In the course of the conflagrations, five persons perished, while 25 were injured, according to Chief Inspector Jacqueline Ortega, the acting ZCFD marshal.
Ortega said that of the total 436 fire incidents, 225 were due to bushfires or unattended lighted bonfire, while 140 cases were caused by electrical connection.
The others were caused by open flame from unattended lighted candle, lighted cigarette or mosquito coil, overheated home appliances and unattended cooking stove among others.
Ortega said the villages with the most number of structural fire incidents in 2019 were Tugbungan, seven; Tumaga, six; San Jose Gusu, five; Ayala, Guiwan, Baliwasan, Calarian, Boalan and Mercedes at four incidents each; and three incidents each for San Roque, Sta. Barbara, Zambowood, Manicahan, Camino Nuevo, and Labuan.
Meanwhile, Ortega said her office aggressively pursues fire prevention campaigns through various activities -- Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan, Fire Prevention Month, Oplan Semana Santa and Lakbay Alalay, Oplan Balik Eskwela, Oplan Kaluluwa and Oplan Paalala-Iwas Paputok. (SunStar Zamboanga)