A fire broke out on Saturday dawn burning at least 150 houses in a residential community in the Village of Sta. Lucia, Dasmarinas City in Cavite in the Northern Philippines. The Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP ) was quoted by ABS-CBN online saying that they are presently investigating the incident tracing the source of the fire. Witnesses reported to BFP that since most of the houses constructed were close to each other and were just made of light materials, the fire spread so fast.
However, some residents in the area said that the fire could have been caused by a gas tank that was left open before a house owner left her house to buy some groceries at a nearby store. The BFP is also investigating this report.
As of Saturday morning, two residents were reported to suffer minor injuries and were immediately brought to the town's hospital.
Fire Investigator Bernard Rosete also confirmed to ABS CBN online that 150 houses were affected by the fire incident. The fire broke out just two months after BFP observed its Fire Prevention month
In the Philippines, the months of April and May have often become the period with the highest number of fire incidents because of the drought, water scarcity and summer heat. The BFP has been going around villages, campaigning fire prevention measures especially when summer will be reaching its peak this May.
The Philippines, especially in slum areas, have often become victims of fire incidents because houses are normally structurally connected to each other. Last year's series of fire incidents damaged properties worth USD 3.18 million.
The BFP has been reminding residents living in slum areas to turn off their main switch fuse when leaving their homes. To the general public, the fire prevention agency has often appealed to turn off their air conditioner units, flat iron, television, radio sets and other appliances when they get out of the house.
The BFP was created by Philippine Republic Act 6975 to be the responsible agency to prevent and suppress all forms of fire destruction in its jurisdiction.
