As part of the ongoing Fire Prevention Month observance, Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III called on all city barangays to maintain proper fire brigades.

“[Within] the first 10 to 15 minutes you can still stop the fire and this can be done with the help of your barangay fire brigade,” the mayor said. “Fire brigades should be alert so, when someone calls for help, they can easily respond.”

In addition, Iloilo City Fire Marshal, Fire Inspector Christopher Regencia, advised, in the event of fire, residents should not reenter a conflagration once outside.

“There are some residents who are going back inside their house to save their personal belongings, which may result in injury or [could] kill them,” he explained. “Once you are outside, do not go back inside.”

The fire official also noted, many barangay fire brigades are inefficient during fires since the members themselves are often tending to their own families and personal belongings./WDJ