19 vehicles caught fire at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) parking area extension last April 22, Monday. Most of the cars were severely damaged but fortunately, there were no casualties—usual airport operations continued and flights were not affected.
Airport authorities reported that the fire started at around 1:28 pm but was under control at 1:57 pm.
Image by Grig C. Montenagrande via Inquirer.net
According to Acting General Manager of the Manila International Airport Authority Eric Jose Ines, , the speed of which the fire sprawled was unprecedented.
“The spread of fire was fast. What was initially reported to us was one vehicle catching fire, but when the Fire Department arrived to respond, there were already several others that were affected.” He also stated, “Because it was windy, and the area is surrounded by grass.”
As the intense summer heat continues to overwhelm the country’s temperature, many areas and landscapes will be more susceptible to fire hazards and spread. To prevent fire breakouts, we can apply some of the wildfire prevention tips from the US Department of the Interior, since the United States has been experiencing a significant number of wildfires over a few recent years.
Check weather and drought conditions
Pay close attention to weather and drought conditions, which can affect the flammability of vegetation. Avoid any activities that involve fire or sparks when it’s hot, dry, and windy.
Keep vehicles off dry grass
Avoid off-roading or driving or parking over dry grass. A vehicle’s exhaust can reach temperatures of 1,000+ degrees
Regularly maintain your equipment and vehicle
Vehicles and equipment can shoot sparks from their exhaust.
Do not operate equipment that produces sparks near dry vegetation
Make sure the surrounding area is clear and should be larger if it is windy and dry.
As the heat index continues to rise, we should ensure that accidents and disasters will not. Fire prevention awareness and practice should be greatly prioritized in the Philippines by both the government and private sectors, especially as temperatures have been drastically changing not only in the Philippines but across the globe.
References:
Arayta, Ma. Cristina. (2024 April 22). 19 vehicles catch fire at NAIA Terminal 3 parking. Philippine News Agency.
10 Tips to Prevent Wildfires. (n.d.). US Department of the Interior.
