THE Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported around P200,000 worth of damages due to the fire incident near Bolton Bridge along Quimpo Boulevard in Davao City on Saturday morning, January 15, 2022.
Senior Fire Officer 4 Ramil Gillado, chief of Intelligence and Investigation of the Davao City Fire District, told SunStar Davao in a phone interview on Sunday, January 16, that 24 houses were totally damaged, while two were partially damaged.
According to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), Gillado said 40 families were affected in the fire incident, which were given immediate assistance from the City Government.
The fire official said the fire outbreak was reported at 9:39 a.m., which originated on the second floor of a residential house on Almond Street, SIR Matina, Phase 1 in Barangay 76-A.
"Ang ato gitan-aw na hingudan sa sunog ang kuryente. Prior sa incident, naa sa ground floor ang tag-iya sa balay, nagluto siya, then nakadungog siya og siyagit sa silingan na naay sunog," Gillado said.
(We are looking into faulty electrical wiring as the main cause of the fire. Prior to the incident, the house owner was cooking on the ground floor when she heard her neighbor shout that her house was on fire.)
The fire incident was under control at 10:11 a.m., and a fireout was declared at 10:40 a.m.
No injuries nor casualties were reported, he said.
The fire official said the recent fire is currently the most significant reported incident for this year.
Gillado reminded the public to be vigilant and to make sure that all electrical wires are well-installed.
"Top one gyud na siya nga cause sa sunog sa balay. If ever magpataod ta og linya sa kuryente, i-refer gyud nato sa certified electricians para malikayan kini nga insidente," he said.
(It is the number one cause of house fires. If you plan to install electricity in your residence, refer to a certified electrician to avoid these incidents from happening.)
Due to the fire incident, the Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao Region (DPWH-Davao) announced on the same day that the Bolton Bridge I and II will be closed to vehicular traffic until further notice.
Motorists were advised to take alternate routes.
Meanwhile, the office of the Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte immediately extended assistance to the fire victims.
Duterte’s office dispatched their staff to the evacuation area to supply relief aid such as food packs (rice and canned goods), toiletries, tents, and portable toilets.
“[For the relocation of the victims] mag-agad ta sa desisyon sa lokal nga kagamhanan ug asa sila patukuron ug mga bagong panimalay. Andam mutabang ang congressional district office pinaagi sa Pulong-pulong ni Pulong,” Duterte said in a press release.
(For the relocation of the victims, we will await the decision of the City Government as to where they will be relocated and build their new house. My congressional district office, through the Pulong-pulong ni Pulong program, is willing to assist them.)