Baguio City records 63 fire incidents from Jan. – July; most are residential fires

Baguio City, Philippines – Fire is one of the worst disasters that can happen to a family or a community as fire can destroy millions worth of properties and claim lives in minutes.

The Bureau of Fire and Protection – Baguio reported that there have been sixty-three fire incidents recorded in Baguio City from January 1 - July 17, 2024, noting that most of the fire incidents in the city occurred in February and March.

Of the 63 cases, residential fires topped their list with 20, followed by grass fires with 18; forest fires, 11; non-residential fires, 7; and 6 were related to transportation, and litter or bonfire incidents.

The main causes of residential, non-residential, and structural fires include faulty electrical wiring, Liquefied Petroleum Gas explosion, and overheated household appliances.

Meantime, common causes of forest and grass fires were unattended cigarette butts, children playing with matches or lighters, and open flames.

To mitigate the risk of fire incidents in the city, the Bureau reminds the public anew to follow fire prevention measures.

These measures include avoiding overloading of power supply outlets, avoiding burning garbage or dry leaves, disconnecting electrical gadgets before leaving home, avoiding unattended cooking especially when using wood, and regularly checking the electrical wiring in the house.