April 22, 2025 at 3:27:00 AM
One of the two fire trucks of the Sampaloc Fire Station parked while trainees were playing basketball. The station is only behind Tondo and Gagalangin with the highest number of fire incidents in Manila so far in 2025. Photo by Shayne Lee Andreas Macaraeg/The Capital
FIRE EMERGENCIES in the City of Manila soared to their highest total in six years, which the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) linked to the increased use of household appliances amid high heat indices.
Records obtained by The Capital showed that Manila registered 1,036 blazes in 2024—its highest tally yet since the 789 cases of 2019.
The figure is also significantly increased compared to the 735 incidents logged in 2023.
Heat index refers to the temperature the human body feels when relative humidity combines with the actual air temperature.
Senior Fire Inspector Cesar Babante of the Manila Fire District attributed the jump to electrical faults in compact residential areas, particularly in the slums, due to the searing weather conditions that heightened the reliance on household appliances.
“Noong una kasi mainit yung panahon, mostly yung mga naapektuhan niyan ay yung mga kababayan na nasa squatter’s area… Ayun ang usually, kasi sa init ng panahon, maraming appliances ang kanilang ino-open,” Babante told The Capital.
“Ang tinitingnan niyan parati natin yung electrical circuits nila kasi nagkaka-overload,” he added as electrical causes remained the top culprit behind structural fires, accounting for 667 of the recorded cases last year.
According to Babante, high-wattage appliances such as air conditioners, oven toasters, and air fryers, among others, can often heat up extension cords with thin cables, which are not meant use with power-hungry appliances.
“Pag masyado mainit ang panahon maraming gumagamit ng mga electrical appliances… Pag gumamit sila ng electrical appliances kailangan may kaagibat yan na responsibilidad,” the fire official said.
“May kasanayan tayo na gamit lang nang gamit ng mga appliances na hindi naman nila yan napapacheck pati yung electrical system,” he added.
Burning challenge
As of the first quarter of this year, the BFA has recorded a total of 239 fire incidents, higher than the 212 of the same period last year.
Babante noted that local bystanders tend to disrupt firefighting efforts during fire emergencies, making the situation harder to respond to.
“Usually naman ang kalaban natin yung taong bayan kasi pagdating niyo sa area, sila palabas, kami papasok… Pag nasunugan kasi yung tao makikita mo yung emotion dun lalo na kung may mga gamit sila dun na talagang gusto niya kunin yung linya, lalo tayo tatagal tuloy,” he said.
A week after Fire Prevention Month, the senior fire inspector highlighted the value of conducting fire drills in schools and other communities. He urged residents to take these practices seriously.
“Malaki ang naging epekto niyan kasi doon tinuturo natin kung paano kayo mag-survive,” Babante said.
“Kahit ‘pag nabibiktima talaga ng mga ganoong pagkakataon minsan nag-iiba, nawawala na sa focus,” he added.
Fire incidents significantly rose in April last year, registering 136 cases, which is the higest monthly figure since 2019.
Hotspots
Established in 1901, the Manila Fire District operates 14 fire substations that are each placed in strategic positions across the city.
Tondo, being the largest district in the city, has two fire substations built within its bounds to respond quickly to emergencies.
In 2024 alone, Tondo and neighboring Gagalangin substation incurred a combined 353 cases. Both have consistently topped the list of fire-prone areas since 2019.
Babante said Tondo’s vast scope is one of the reasons why fire outbreaks are common in the area. The district saw a massive fire in Isla Puting Bato in November 2024, which razed homes of around 2,000 families founded on the coastal portion of the community.
“[Doon] parati yung nakakaroon ng sunog kasi dikit-dikit yung bahay doon, maliit yung daanan,” Babante said, while adding that firefighters must be accessible to the area.
As per Babante, the Manila Fire District is planning to add another substation around Tondo, but this time, it will be in Baseco Compound.
“Ang Baseco ngayon pa-improve na nga nang pa-improve… May maganda nang kalsada na pwede na makadaan, dati masikip yon kasi area din yung Tondo yun,” he said.
The new station broke ground back on Oct. 4, 2024, and is almost 70% complete according to the senior fire inspector.
As the population and traffic continue to increase, the veteran firefighter said there is a need to add fire stations. However, looking for a base to build it up does not come easy in the city.
“Habang lumalaki yung city, maraming bahay kaya yung agwat lumalaki… May mga pag-aaral na kaming ginawa niyan na lagyan,” Babante said, noting the necessity to establish a new station to address the increasing gap between the coverage of the current stations.
“May mga plano, may mga papel na nagawa dyan, na-submit na doon, pinag-aaralan nang maigi. Kasi una, ang fire station kasi pag nagtayo ka doon, kailangan mo ng medyo malaking lote.” S. L. A. Macaraeg and S. Sañajan
TAGS:
Fire, Manila Fire District, Bureau of Fire Protection