Firefighters fall prey to prank call, respond to nonexistent San Juan blaze

Firefighters fell prey to a prank call when they responded to a nonexistent fire in Barangay Batis in San Juan City on Sunday night.

According to Dano Tingcungco’s report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, residents panicked as they thought there was an actual fire.

Around three fire trucks arrived at the barangay at around 10 p.m.

However, when village watchmen entered the house that was allegedly on fire, they found out that there was no such emergency.

The Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital Region said it was investigating the matter.

The BFP said a prank caller called hotline 911 on Sunday night and claimed there was a fire in Barangay Batis.

While the firemen were on their way, the caller could no longer be contacted.

Data from the Department of the Interior and Local Government showed that hotline 911 received over 2.5 million prank calls in 2019.

Under Presidential Decree No. 1727, prank callers upon conviction can be punished with imprisonment of not more than five years, or a fine of not more than P40,000 or both at the discretion of the court having jurisdiction over the offense. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News