The fire incidents and damages caused by fire for December 2012 declined compared to the number reported during the same period last year, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection 6, which recently released its latest fire incident comparative report. 

According to BFP 6, a total of 73 fire incidents were reported from December 1 to 31, 2012, 6.41 lower than the 78 reported during the same period last year. 

The BFP 6 said these reported fire incidents in December 2012, which mostly occurred in Iloilo, has placed estimated damages of P4.32 million and claimed the life of a civilian and injured another one. 

The record is lower compared to the damages recorded in December 2011, which reached P20.4 million.

BFP said Iloilo has recorded 52 fire incidents, Negros Occidental 15 and in Aklan, Antique and Capiz with two each.

Unlike in December last year, when the origins of fire were mostly due to electrical connections, this year, the causes of fire are mostly undetermined. 

Thirty eight out of the 73 fire incidents were also classified under investigation, 34 accidental and one intentional.

BFP 6 Public Information Section Head Inspector Stephen Jardeleza has cited four factors that have contributed to the decrease in fire incidents in the region.

These are increased awareness of the public on fire safety measures, the continued conduct of fire prevention campaign in schools and businesses, use of social network and media in information dissemination, and issuance of fire safety inspection certificates as pre-requisite in the permits and licenses issued by the local government units.

Despite this development, Jardeleza urged the public not to let their guards down and instead continue to observe fire safety measures in their homes.

“Our data show that out of the 73 fire incidents last month half of this or about 40 are incidents in residential occupancies,” said Jardeleza.*