The City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said its investigation revealed a “huge possibility” that illegal connection was the cause of the fire that hit Barangay Tiniguiban on Christmas Day.
Fire Officer 3 Rudmark Anticano told Palawan Daily News (PDN) Friday this recent fire that burned down nine houses and killed a 78-year-old lady in the village, whom he identified as Lucenia Valdez, was an “electrical fire.”
Anticano said that while the result of their investigation is not yet final, it leans heavily on the angle that it was indeed an electrical fire.
“Kasi ang iba doon mga naka-tap lang, wala silang sariling kuntador. Pupuwedeng overloading o mga naiwanang electrical appliances na naka-open,” said Anticano.
He said the fire started around 7:40 p.m. of December 25 and was declared fire out by 9 p.m.
Anticano also said that no one was inside the house of certain Ricardo King Lorenzo Jr. where the flame started that night.
Anticano also reminded the public to follow the law and proper guidelines in their electricity connections.
“Unang-una diyan ipinagbabawal ang pag-tap sa kapitbahay or ‘yong tinatawag na flying connection. Pinagbabawal iyan, mayroon ‘yang kaparusahan o multa galing sa PALECO and then lagi lang nating i-ensure na kapag aalis ng bahay o matutulog [ay] i-unplug lahat ‘yong mga appliances na hindi na kailangan o hindi na ginagamit,” said Anticano.