BRIEFS. Public safety

More than one fire per day in first weeks of 2008

LA PRENSA

burning: The Century Tower fire was one of the new year’s worst.971502

The Cuerpo de Bomberos de Panamá (CBP) reported a total of 20 fires during the first 15 days of 2008.

Among the most severe fires were the blaze in a Curundú apartment building and in a Chanis restaurant on Jan. 4. The fires on the 12th floor of the Century Tower on Vía Ricardo J. Alfaro and at a butcher in Pueblo Nuevo on Jan. 9 figured prominently on their list as well.

Firefighters also attended to 57 grassland fires, which are subject to a $5,000 fine, 73 cases of attacks by Africanized bees and 45 traffic accidents.

The CBP, which oversees Panama City's 14 fire stations, reported last week that it has a serious shortage of functioning equipment.

The government has been involved in a recent battle with the fire department over funding.