Five Fire Officials Fired After Davao Blaze That Killed 37 Workers
On Dec 23, a devastating fire broke out in Davao City, setting off a chain of events that left 37 people dead in the offices of American market‑research giant Research Now SSI. The same blaze started in a furniture and fabric shop on the third floor of the New City Commercial Center (NCCC) mall and then leapt onto the fourth floor where the SSI offices were located. 30‑plus souls perished in that smoky inferno, the only survivor being a mall security guard.
Officials Buffeted by the Investigation
- Leo Lauzon – fire safety inspector at SSI
- Joel Quizmundo – fire safety inspector at NCCC mall
- Roger Dumag – chief of the fire safety section, SIR fire station
- Renero Jimenez – commander of SIR fire station
- Honee Fritz Alagano – Davao City fire marshal and BFP spokeswoman
All five have had their duties suspended. The move, announced by Senior Superintendent Jerry Candido, aims to prevent any interference with the ongoing probe and keep the evidence pristine.
Fire Safety Flaws Exposed
During the post‑fire investigation, officials discovered a slew of violations.
- Erratic exits that couldn’t be accessed in time
- Faulty sprinkler system that didn’t activate
- Alarms that simply didn’t chirp
Whatever the mall’s earlier fire safety certificate from 2017 says, the fire police are digging into whether the inspection team overlooked red flags back then or over the years.
Responses from the Mall and the Company
Darry Gallego, NCCC’s assistant vice president of corporate services, declined to comment on the investigation. He did, however, point out that the mall leadingly had a sprinkler system. The building’s safety claim remains on the table.
On the other end, Barbara Palmer, SSI’s senior vice president for global marketing, stated that the company is currently unable to address any specific inquiries while the investigation unfolds.
What’s Next?
With the fire safety officials relieved, investigators are turning up the heat on the physical site. The official report will likely feature strict recommendations to prevent a repeat of such tragedy. In the meantime, the tragic loss of 37 brave souls humbles us all, reminding that every single building should double‑check its fire safety before the next blaze.
