BFP-NCR concerned over houses offering bedspaces without permits

The Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital Region (BFP-NCR) on Wednesday expressed concern over residential establishments that are offered for rent, including bed spaces with permits.

During a media interfacing event, BFP-NCR chief Fire Chief Superintendent Nahum Tarroza pointed out the agency cannot place private homes under fire inspection.

“Kapag sinabing residential, residential siya so hindi po siya paupahan. I-report niyo po sa amin. Hindi po namin malalaman yan kung walang magre-report. Kapag merong complaint, puwede namin puntahan,” he told reporters.

(Residential buildings should be residential. These should not be for rent. Please report these to us. We won't know that if no one reports. When there is a complaint, we can go inspect them.)

Tarroza said the requirements for residential buildings and apartment buildings are different. Not complying with these standards may result in more hazards during fire incidents.

Last Friday, 11 people died in a fire in Binondo, Manila. Reports said the victims were living in a boarding house inside a residential-commercial building.

According to Tarroza, authorities are investigating if the building was being used as an apartment and if it has permits for this operation.

Manila District Fire Marshal Senior Superintendent Aristotle Bañaga and Manila Fire Safety Enforcement Branch chief Fire Chief Inspector Dominic Salvacion were removed from their posts to give way for an impartial probe.

Families of the victims received food packs, financial aid, transportation assistance from Manila’s Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Based on the investigation, a leak from a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank caused the fire. RF, GMA Integrated News