Fire Near NAIA Terminal 3 Chars Over a Dozen Vehicles
This, as Heat Index soars in many parts of the country.
(SPOT.ph) A sudden blaze erupted near Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Monday, reducing at least 19 cars to charred wreckage.
The Manila International Airport Authority's (MIAA) Rescue and Firefighting Division declared fire out around 2:03 p.m., minutes after the blaze engulfed several vehicles at a parking area near NAIA Terminal 3.
MIAA said it had no liability for the burned vehicles since the parking area was leased to a private concessionaire.
As of writing, the Pasay Fire Bureau is still investigating what caused the fire incident. MIAA's general manager, Eric Ines, reassured the public that no flights were affected. He also said that the fire may have been due to the extreme heat, noting that the parking areas were grassy.
Fire Safety Inspections at NAIA
The blaze comes after concessionaires, tenants, and occupants at NAIA Terminals, including the MIAA complex, were subjected to fire safety inspections beginning April 15.
These inspections were conducted by MIAA's Rescue and Firefighting Division in accordance with Republic Act No. 9514 or the "Fire Code of the Philippines" and other current MIAA regulations.
The Rescue and Firefighting Division requested all stakeholders at NAIA to allow their terminal safety inspectors to enter their premises and conduct a fire safety inspection in the presence of concessionaire-authorized representatives.
To maintain the highest level of fire safety in the workplace, all offices will receive findings and recommendations, if any, for immediate modification of non-compliance.
Heat Index in Manila
Last week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued a warning anew, as heat index predictions swiftly rose from 40°C to 50°C.
Metro Manila recently experienced a heat index of 40°C, but it could likely escalate further due to the ongoing impacts of El Niño. Now, PAGASA is cautioning that certain regions may see the heat index spike to 52°C in the weeks ahead.
Also read: PAGASA Warns Some Areas Could Reach 52°C Heat Index
Preventing Car Fires
In an advisory posted by the Manila Development Authority back in 2022, the agency advised the public against leaving alcohol inside their vehicles, especially during the summer season.
"Iwasan natin na mag-iwan ng bote ng alcohol sa loob ng ating sasakyan upang disgrasya ay maiwasan. Ang alcohol ay flammable kaya mainam na ilagay ito sa mga lugar na ang temperatura ay hindi lalampas sa 30° Celsius," it said.