Fire incident reported at DPWH regional office in Baguio City

• A fire broke out at the Department of Public Works and Highways regional office in the Cordillera Administrative Region on Wednesday afternoon
• The Bureau of Fire Protection confirmed the blaze was successfully extinguished and the building was fully secured by late afternoon
• Official reports state that no employees were injured during the incident and the damage was limited to a small area of the office
• Government authorities and the Baguio City fire station are currently conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire

A brief moment of alarm struck the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) when a fire broke out at their regional office on Wednesday afternoon, January 14. Fortunately, the situation was quickly brought under control by responding fire teams.

The DPWH released an official statement shortly after the event to reassure the public. According to the agency, the blaze “has been successfully extinguished and the site is now fully secured.” They further emphasized the safety of their personnel, stating, “No DPWH employee was injured in the said incident.”

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Reports from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) indicate that the fire was relatively contained. Their initial assessment showed that the affected area was limited to approximately two square meters within the regional office. The Baguio City Public Information Office first reported the structural fire around 5:00 p.m., and firemen were able to declare the fire out by 5:43 p.m.

Currently, the DPWH is working closely with the BFP and the local government of Baguio “to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the cause of the incident.” This swift coordination aims to ensure that such incidents do not happen again and to verify if electrical issues or other external factors played a role.

The DPWH is a vital government agency responsible for the planning, design, and construction of public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and flood control systems across the Philippines. Its regional offices, like the one in CAR, serve as hubs for localized project management. This incident occurs at a time when the agency is also focused on administrative shifts, including working on new budgeting formula to get rid of ‘allocables’ and overseeing major projects like the Maharlika Highway rehab.

Despite the fire, the agency is expected to continue its operations as the damage was minimal. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety protocols in government buildings, especially in high-density areas like Baguio City.

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A devastating fire in Cebu recently made headlines after it destroyed a residential home where a wake was being held. The family was left in deep sorrow as the blaze reportedly burned the remains of their deceased loved one before they could be properly laid to rest. Authorities are looking into the cause of the fire that added to the family's tragic loss.

Around 20 houses were razed in Malabon after an extension wire allegedly exploded and triggered a massive fire. Residents were forced to flee their homes as the fire spread quickly through the neighborhood, leaving many families homeless. Fire investigators are reminding the public to be cautious with electrical connections to prevent similar accidents.

Source: KAMI.com.gh