March 12
Huge fire hit Mandaue City below first bridge.
A residential fire broke out in two sitios (sub-villages) in Barangay Looc, Mandaue City below a portion of the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge (first bridge) in Cebu. The fire affected around 300 houses. Initial assessment of damages was estimated at P1.25 million, including vehicles parked in the area such as tricycles, motorcycles, and a truck. A portion of the bridge’s under-part was also scorched where most of the houses burned were located.
News link: https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/100893/huge-fire-hit-mandaue-city-below-first-bridge/story/

March 12
Dumaguete BFP calls for vigilance vs. fires amid El Niño.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) here has cautioned the public against activities that may exacerbate fire hazards amid the searing heat brought about by the El Niño phenomenon. The reminder came following a fire late Monday afternoon that razed three lodging houses here, with an estimated property damage of PHP400,000. The residents were advised to inspect electrical appliances for faulty wiring, conserve water to avoid a reduction in the city’s supply, stop burning trash and reckless throwing of cigarette butts in highly combustible places such as dried grasslands, and the wise use of electric devices that may overheat.
News link: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1220591

March 13
PGH fire out, no casualties logged.
Fire engulfed parts of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Padre Faura St. in Manila. Hospital personnel had to evacuate 180 patients after the blaze destroyed the medicine ward. Firefighters rushed to the scene, with 13 fire trucks eventually working together to combat the flames. An ambulance was also sent to the site.
News link: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1220746

The BFP chief in Negros Oriental has sounded the alarm over the continued rise in the number of fire incidents in the province during the first quarter of the year. The province has recorded 64 fire incidents, structural and non-structural, since January 1. Of the number, structural fires totaled 30, while non-structural fires totaled 34 as of March 5. In 2023, the BFP responded to 222 fire incidents, with a monthly average of 18. The ongoing El Niño was one of the major factors that contributed to the high incidence of fire. The most common cause of the fire was electrical, although some were ignited by open flame. Another factor that heightened fire risks is flammable items in homes, such as furniture made out of synthetic materials. The BFP here is already implementing the Community Fire Protection Plan in every barangay, with one fire personnel assigned in each village. The city fire chief disclosed they are proposing to establish sub-stations, especially in outskirts barangays to cut down on response time, and requesting for additional fire hydrants and funding for the procurement of more fire trucks, as the current fleet of 34 fire trucks is not enough in simultaneous fire emergencies.
News link: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1220728

March 14
Landers Arcovia temporarily closes after fire.
A portion of Landers Superstore in Arcovia, Megaworld’s township along C5 in Pasig City, caught fire, reaching second alarm. The management of Landers announced the temporary closure of its Arcovia store until further notice.
News link: https://bilyonaryo.com/2024/03/14/landers-arcovia-temporarily-closes-after-fire/business/

Mandaluyong fire: 2 dead, hundreds homeless.
Two persons died – a 15-year-old girl and her six-year-old brother – and at least 150 families were left homeless when a fire broke out at a residential area in Mandaluyong City. The fire destroyed around 50 houses. Damage to property was placed at P9 million. The displaced residents took shelter at an evacuation center.
News link: https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/03/15/2340716/mandaluyong-fire-2-dead-hundreds-homeless

March 16
3 hurt as 3 fires hit Metro Manila.
Three people were injured as fires broke out in three cities in Metro Manila – Valenzuela, Quezon City, and Taguig. A toddler and two women suffered burns in the Valenzuela fire.
News link: https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/03/16/2340933/3-hurt-3-fires-hit-metro-manila

Benguet highway closed due to forest fire.
Halsema Highway or the Baguio-Bontoc road in Atok, Benguet was closed to traffic the other day due to a forest fire. Around 15 kilometers of the highway in Barangay Paoay, the main artery from Mountain Province and Benguet to this city, were rendered impassable. Members of the BFP in Atok and neighboring towns, as well as volunteers and villagers helped put out the fire.
News link: https://qa.philstar.com/nation/2024/03/16/2340924/benguet-highway-closed-due-forest-fire

9-hour fire leaves P8-M damage in Iloilo City heritage zone.
A fire that lasted a little over nine hours gutted two three-story buildings located within the heritage zone of Iloilo City, leaving estimated damage at P8.085 million. The fire affected a total area of 1,078 square meters, spanning portions of Chinatown along Iznart Street and Calle Real (JM Basa Street). It took nine hours to contain the fire because the buildings contained highly combustible materials like rubber, ready-to-wear clothing, and plastic wares.
News link: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1220971

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