Firefighter Expresses Dismay Over Uncooperative Residents During Navotas Fire
A firefighter in Navotas shared his frustration after dealing with uncooperative residents while responding to a fire in a residential area.
Recently, Facebook user Nicko Chavez, a fire volunteer, has expressed his frustration over uncooperative residents during Navotas fire. The post garnered various reactions from the online community.
According to Chavez, the fire started around 9:47 a.m. in the Aroma neighborhood of San Jose, Navotas. He learned about the incident through a group chat message from his wife, which prompted their fire chief to send their team to the scene immediately.
Upon arrival, Chavez and his team struggled to enter the narrow alley leading to the burning houses because residents blocked their path. Only four or five fire trucks were present at the time, and as they laid out their hoses, some bystanders shouted instructions and became aggressive, further slowing their work.
Chavez said the water pressure from his hose was initially weak, so he asked his teammate to adjust the line. However, the crowd’s interference made the operation more difficult, with some residents pushing, pulling, and pointing in different directions.
Despite the chaos, Chavez remained calm and focused on containing the fire, using his knowledge of the area and his firefighting experience to target spots that could ignite next.
The fire was declared under control by 12:33 p.m., nearly three hours after it began. Authorities reported that the houses were made of light materials, which caused the flames to spread quickly. More than 50 fire trucks from various stations assisted in putting out the blaze.
The videos taken by his fellow firefighters, have now reached over 1.6 million views online. Many netizens expressed sympathy for the firefighters, criticizing those who got in the way. Some volunteers also explained that while residents often panic and try to help, it’s important not to interfere with fire operations for everyone’s safety.
The video has a caption:
“Sa panahon ngayon, hindi lang apoy ang kalaban ng bumbero, kundi pati mga taong akala’y sila ang mas eksperto.”
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The internet users expressed their reactions to the post:
