AN OFFICIAL of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Davao City has just dropped two "bombshells" in our midst and it isn't funny at all.

Fire Inspector Sixto Jimenez III revealed to members of local media that 60 percent of commercial establishments along the city's main thoroughfares are in violation of the fire code. He specifically mentioned San Pedro and Magallanes streets. The other revelation was about most of the fire stations being in a "bad shape," whatever that means.

The most common violations are the absence of fire exits and, if there are fire exits, these remain locked 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That means that such establishments are firetraps just waiting to send potential victims of government negligence to kingdom come. A fire exit is just what the name implies. But if it remains locked during a fire, it is simply NOT a fire exit.

Inspector Jimenez said owners of the establishments where there are violations of the fire code have been given a grace period within which to comply with same -- or else.

He did not elucidate, nor specify the corresponding penalty for failure to comply.

As for fire stations which have seen better times, Jimenez laments the fact that the central office in Manila has yet to reply to their requests for rehabilitation of the stations. Which is typical of Imperial Manila's attitude towards its poorer cousins in the countryside.

Must it take a conflagration that results in many deaths and injuries before violations of the fire code are addressed? There is a need for City Hall to crack down on local government agencies which are supposed to work hand in hand with the BFP to see to it that buildings and similar structures pass the requirements as enshrined in the fire code.