Authorities urged the public Thursday to do their share in creating awareness on fire safety following the series of fires that struck Metro Manila in the past few days. Six of those fires occurred in Manila in the past two days.

The call for public awareness was made by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) during a motorcade organized by TxtFire Philippines in several thoroughfares in Manila that started at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

Gerry Chua, founder of Txtfire Philippines, said they once again held a motorcade not only in Manila but also in other localities of the metropolis to make the public aware on how to deal with and prevent fires.

Chua, who has been a fire volunteer for the past 31 years, stressed the need for households to have a plan, practice such a plan and include it in their fire drills.

“A fire drill can help you practice leaving your building quickly and safely. Don’t forget to talk about different ways you can get out when drafting your fire safety plans,” Chua stressed.

Among the fire prevention tips he shared to public were:

• Use a fire extinguisher to put out small fires while water can be used if the fire is not electrical or chemical.
• Do not try to put out a fire that cannot be controlled.
• Residents should leave the building immediately if the fire is too big to put out.
• If your clothes catches fire, do not run as this could make the fire spread more quickly. Instead, stop, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands and then roll back and forth until the fire is put out.

Meanwhile, Chua reminded everyone to immediately inform firefighters about any fire incident inside a building to avert the spread of the fire.

He said the public could inform them about a fire incident by calling the TXTFIRE hotline, 561-11-11 or through text by typing REPORT EXACT LOCATION and then send to 0918-6-888-888 or 0922-6-888-888. They can likewise inquire about ongoing fire by typing FIRE and then send to the same numbers, according to Chua.

The Txtfire founder likewise said the public can be a fire volunteer by typing REG NAME SURNAME COMPLETE ADDRESS and send to the given cell phone numbers. Their group now has more than 170,000 members, he said.

“Calling one’s nearest fire station will ensure that help will be on the way soon so it is important to know the number of the fire station nearest to your place. You can also report a fire,” Chua said.

Meanwhile, a fire of still undetermined origin partially destroyed Thursday morning a factory in Pasig City, fire probers said.

Initial reports reaching the Pasig City Fire Department said the fire started at about 9:15 a.m. at Kempville Philippines, a factory that makes chemicals, which is located in Barangay Kalawaan.

Firefighters immediately went to the scene and managed to put out the fire at about 9:35 a.m. No one was hurt or killed in the fire that reached the first alarm.

Total damage to property was pegged at about P50, 000.

The fire in Barangay Kalawaan was the second fire to hit Pasig City in less than two days.

Last Tuesday, an estimated P400,000 worth of property went up in smoke after a large fire hit a residential area.

Fire Officer 3 Carlito Banes said a total of 11 houses were destroyed after a fire broke out on Number 939 Visitacion St. in Barangay Kapasigan.

Fortunately, no one was hurt or killed in the fire that reached the fourth alarm.

Another fire hit a residential area in Kaunlaran, Quezon City the other night. (With reports from Francis T. Wakefield and Rizal S. Obanil)