On May 13, 2015, a factory that produced flip-flops and rubber shoes caught fire

when welding sparks ignited chemicals that were, unfortunately,near the entrance of the
factory. It took five hours before the fire was completely put out—by then, 74 people had
died. Most of the corpses were found on the second floor, and most of them were badly
burnt, reduced to charred skulls and bones.

Survivors of the fire blamed the inhumane working conditions of the

factory. Two years later, Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian was charged with graft
and reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injury
charges.However, the Antigraft Court’s Second Division junked the indictment of
Gatchalian.

Cause of Fire:
Ignition of welding sparks and chemicals

Fire Class:
Class B - fires involving flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel or oils.
Class C - fires involving gases.

Fire Triangle:
Fuel: Rubber for making Flip-lops and shoes; Chemicals
Oxygen: present in the atmosphere
Heat: Sparks from the welding instrument

Two days before Christmas—a season where most Pinoys go to the mall for
shopping—a fire engulfed the 14-year old NCCC Mall in Davao. The fire started because
of the faulty wiring that resulted to short circuit at the ceiling of the sections of fabric
and furniture. The fire went on for 32 hours, killing 38 workers, most of whom were call
center agents, whose office was located on the fourth floor.
Authorities later found out that there was no functioning sprinkler system
on the third floor of the building, where the fire started. Control valves for the sprinkler
systems were also manually turned off during the time of the incident.

Cause of Fire:
Shorts circuit and faulty wirings

Fire Class:
Class A - fires involving solid materials such as wood, paper or textiles.
Class E - fires involving live electrical apparatus.

Fire Triangle:
Fuel: Fabric; furnitures
Oxygen: present in the atmosphere
Heat: Faulty wirings