Much like going into battle unarmed, a fire truck of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Dagupan reportedly responded to a fire in barangay Pantal at dawn of Monday but was not of any help since no water came out of the truck.

Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo has sought an investigation, in aid of legislation, into the incident, which he said is a major embarrassment for the local BFP.

Dagupan City Fire Marshal Aquilino Paras, however, denied that their truck had no water but admitted it failed to douse water into the fire because its pump had malfunctioned.

Tamayo told the city council he received a call over radio from residents of barangay Pantal at 7:00 a.m. of Monday, complaining against the local fire station for responding to a fire in their community with an empty fire truck.

The residents had to resort to putting out the fire themselves with pails of water to prevent it from spreading to other parts of their community.

Razed to the ground was a dilapidated house newly rented by a couple.

Investigation showed the fire was caused by an unattended burning charcoal which the couple used in cooking their food few hours earlier.

Paras said he is ready to answer questions when he appears before the city council on Monday.

Tamayo said if it should be found that the BFP fire truck had no water when it responded to the fire, then the firemen must be held liable.

“We have to find out what really ails the local fire station so the city government can be of help,” he said.—LM

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