THE La Trinidad Municipal Fire Station warned the public against fire-causing materials, especially firecrackers and pyrotechnics, to avoid fire incidents this Christmas season.
It said 11 fire incidents were recorded in La Trinidad. They occurred from January to November this year and damaged P1,440,000 worth of properties.
Senior Inspector Francisco Copes of the Bureau of Fire Protection said the capital town had six structural fires, which happened in Buyagan in Poblacion, Mega Realty Subdivision in Shilan, West Side Puguis, Don Miguel in Pico, Windy Hill, Buyagan, and a two-story house destroyed last month in Tabangaoen, Balili.
At least five forest fire incidents were also recorded in Puguis, Shamolog in Pico, Sitio Tili in Shilan and Sitio Buhaw in Puguis.
Copes said standard response time is between three to seven minutes within a seven-kilometer radius, but for far-flung areas, it may take some time for them to reach the affected area.
He called on residents to be conscious and aware of the fire safety measures in handling cooking and electrical appliances, including Christmas lights.
"When you buy things, it should not be sub-standard, and make sure they have the safety standards," said Copes.
He also noted that there were no firecracker related incidents recorded this year so far.