The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has imposed a ban on smoking in all parking lots at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
This decision comes after a fire on April 22 destroyed 19 cars at the open parking lot of NAIA Terminal 3. The fire was caused by a lit cigarette butt that was improperly disposed of, according to a report by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Fire Supt. Bayani Zambrano, the chief of the BFP arson investigation, stated that investigators found cigarette butts in the area where the fire started and determined that there was “no other ignition source except for the cigarette butts. There’s no electricity source in the area.”
The agency confirmed that the lit cigarette butt ignited the fuel hose of a black sport utility vehicle, leading to the fire being ruled as an accident. The fire spread quickly due to the high temperature, strong winds, and dried grass in the parking area.
Following the BFP’s investigation, MIAA general manager Eric Ines announced that the concessionaire of the parking lot, Philippine Skylander, Inc., took several measures to improve safety.
These measures included removing the dried grass, pouring gravel onto the area, building two guard houses equipped with fire extinguishers, and installing two closed-circuit television cameras.
In addition, Ines banned smoking in the parking lot and ordered more frequent patrols of the area.
The airport management also urged park users not to bring in or leave their vehicles with flammable materials inside, especially when left unattended under the scorching heat of the sun.
Car owners were advised not to carry any flammable liquids and materials (such as lighter fluid, aerosol cans, and alcohol) inside their vehicles to prevent accidents and ensure safety.
The airport chief emphasized that the heat index in the NAIA area was at a high of 42 degrees when the incident occurred last month.
Initial reports suggested that the incident began from a small grass fire that spread quickly due to the strong wind, resulting in the burning of the cars.