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FIRE fighters in Central Visayas can reach fires in high-rise buildings only up to seven stories because that?s the limit of the height of their ladders, officials said.
They rely instead on the fire hoses and hydrants equipped in each building, which anyone can use, said Fire Supt. Esmael Codilla, Cebu City fire marshal and deputy director for operations of the Bureau of Fire Protection in Central Visayas (BFP-7).
He spoke during yesterday's weekly Association of Government Information Officers in Central Visayas (AGIO-7) forum.
March is the celebration of fire prevention month.
Smoke-activated sprinkler systems also help prevent fire from spreading.
Codilla said his men can rescue occupants trapped in high-rise buildings as shown by their rescue of several occupants of the six-storey Manila Bank building in corner Colon and P. Lopez Streets several years ago.
However nine persons also perished from smoke inhalation while trying to go down the stairs.
Codilla said fire officials are also concerned about illegal electrical connections in congested barangays which can cause overloading and spark fires.
Codilla said the El Niño-induced drought also lowers water supply and the summer heat could ignite fires in houses made of light materials.
About 25 fires broke out so far this month.
