Baguio Insider

(Added 4/14/2008) Baguio has experienced at least five fires in two months (University of Baguio (UB) Fire, a house in Pacdal, Tiong San Department Store on Harrison Road, Baguio City Market and Andok’s Dine-In on Session Road). All of them resulted only in damage to property and injuries to persons. No lives are known to have been lost.

Here are reports of the last three, in rapid succession, just days apart!
Sometimes living in Baguio can get exasperating!

In the news:

For firemen and volunteers who were bodily searched by security personnel of Tiong San department store at the height of the April 2 fire, which occurred in the establishment, being frisked is an insult.

In an undated letter to Fire Marshall Jovencio Marquez, Lao said “I sincerely apologize for the negative experience by some of your brave firefighters and volunteers from our security personnel,” adding they are now doing a review of their security procedures to ensure the unprofessional conduct of some of their personnel will never happen again.

“We deeply regret this (unfortunate) incident. As a company this is not representative of the way we treat our unsung heroes,” Lao said.

How can that not be representative of the way Tiong San treats unsung heroes like firemen? There is no symbolism here, you know. It was a deliberate act! Honestly, even if the actions were made by the security guards belonging to an independent contractor like a security agency, the latter is the agent of the principal, Tiong San Department store, following only the established security procedures. We do not make distinctions between the security guards and the store owners. Come on, the firemen were friggin’ frisked!

Hay naku! Why didn’t the guards inspect na rin the fire trucks with a mirror at the base to see if they were trying to smuggle in a bomb like they do at SM City Baguio? Ah, it’s because one of the largest department stores in Baguio provides no parking for its customers.

This incident is representative of the ineffectual security measures that consumers are subjected to when they enter a department store in the Philippines. As if we would feel safer…

Another Fire Hits Baguio: This Time It’s the Baguio City Market!

Ok, Baguio has gotten hit by yet another fire, too! Triple drat!

An estimated P3 million worth of government and private property went up in flames, after a fire hit the sari-sari section of Baguio old market building at dawn last Friday.According to Baguio Fire Station (BFS) Marshal Jovencio Marquez, although an investigation was still ongoing last Friday night, initial findings disclosed that the blaze originated at the ceiling joist along the alley behind stall 201 of the building.

“There were no casualties and injuries reported as a result of this fire,” firefighter Marquez said.

An initial investigation into the conflagration revealed that three security guards on duty first heard “crackling sounds” emanating in the ceiling joist and noticed the fire “followed the main electrical wires” at 4:20 a.m. Friday.

Wow, the conflagrations must be contagious! Three very well known, major institutions of the city that attract hordes of customers inside burned very recently. First there was the University of Baguio last February, then Tiong San and the Baguio City Market. Something amiss here. How well are fire prevention measures being enforced in the City of Pines?

And Another: Andok’s Dine-in on Session Road This Time!

(Added on 4/14/2008, after Resty’s comment)

Sorry Resty, bad luck, it seems doesn’t come in threes. Quadruple drat this time!

This just in: upon my arrival in Baguio early in the evening I am greeted with the news that another fire has hit Baguio! This time it’s an eatery — Andok’s Dine-in on Session Road. The University of Baguio is such a trendsetter! So far, the recent fires have damaged school buildings, a home (this one in Pacdal a week or so after the UB Fire) a department store, a public market, and now a restaurant.

Since we’ve had at least five fires in 2 months, with the last three just days apart, we residents should start thinking FIRE PREVENTION! We should also start thinking, how did they pass the inspection by the Fire Department when they applied for their business permits? We should think are we safe? Are our children safe? So far, no lives have been lost. Are we to wait?

This leads perennially hopeful me to think: since no lives were lost, maybe good luck comes in fives!