20120904 Philippines Fire causes P3.5 million in damage
Philippines Sep 04 2012 “Stores”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 1 to 29 Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Fire causes P3.5 million in damage
Updated: 2012-09-05-12:00
CEBU, Philippines – An estimated P3.5 million in items and property went up in flames after a fire destroyed a store selling pipes and stainless steel décor as well as a tire shop along M.J. Cuenco St., Barangay San Roque, Cebu City yesterday afternoon.
Johua Lim, owner of the Modern Metal Marketing, could only watch as his business was engulfed by flames at the Tanchan Building, built in the 1960s.
The Cebu City Bureau of Fire Protection reported receiving the fire alarm at 1:08 p.m.
Fire investigator FO3 Lowel Opolentisima said store employees reported the fire started at the second floor of the store.
Firefighters had difficult getting inside the store because there was no other entrance except for the front door. They declared the fire under control 25 minutes after arriving at the scene.
No one was reported injured in the incident.
Firetrucks of the Apas Emergency Rescue Team, Sr. Sto. Niño Fire Brigade, Barangay Ermita Fire Brigade, Filipino-Chinese Volunteers and of the Talisay City Fire Station also responded to the alarm.
Opolentisima said they have yet to determine what caused the fire and check if store has another exit.
Meanwhile, the City Social Welfare Services in Mandaue City reported that 204 families were affected by the fire last Monday evening in Sitio Kalubihan, Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City, that destroyed 110 houses mostly made of light materials.
The city fire department said the fire started at the second floor of the house owned by Antonieto Calleda although as the cause is still under investigation.
Those left homeless took shelter at the Pajara Park near the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and are appealing for help as most of them failed to save any of their belongings.
CSWS yesterday continued to give packed meals to the fire victims while the office of sixth district Rep. Luis Gabriel Quisumbing conducted a mass feeding program and distributed relief goods.
The city health office and the Philippines Red Cross also conducted a medical mission, giving anti-tetanus shots to those were wounded by nails and other sharp objects while trying to save what they could.
Third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia also promised to give financial assistance for the housing materials of the fire victims when he met with Umapad barangay captain Nelson Rubio yesterday.
Rubio told Garcia that he wants housing materials to be provided immediately so that fire victims can quickly rebuild their homes.
Meanwhile, heavy rains yesterday prevented personnel of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office from delivering goods to the fire victims.
PSWDO administrative officer Wilson Ramos said they have already readied 50 sacks of rice, 25 boxes of canned goods, mats, slippers, used clothing and other items for immediate use of the fire victims.
Ramos said that these are just initial assistance to be delivered anytime today while they still have to get the final list of victims.
He said that the office of Garcia is coordinating with them in giving assistance to the fire victims. —(FREEMAN)
Websource: Philstar
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=845508&publicationSubCategoryId=107