Fire hits building across Sto. Niño church

Private offices inside a private building were damaged in a fire that struck the place at almost midday yesterday on Zamora Street just across the Basilica del Santo Niño.

The fire was the second to hit the city this March, tagged as the Fire Prevention Month, following the one that razed seven stalls at Pier 5 in barangay Mabolo last Wednesday.

While no one was reported injured, yesterday's fire left P300,000 in estimated damages to properties, involving offices located at the third floor, and some at the second floor, of the Mingso Building.

Fire investigator SPO2 Felix Romero told The Freeman the fire started at Room 305, occupied by the First Eastern Adjustment Office of Marlon Ricafranca.

It engulfed adjoining Rooms 303 and 304, but left Room 302 and the rooms at the second floor partially burned only. The rest of the rooms in the building were water-damaged, Romero said.

The Cebu City Fire Department recorded receiving the alarm at 11:37am, and responding firefighters had it under control after 35 minutes.

City Fire Marshal, Supt. Ishmael Codilla, who was at the scene said there is no confirmed cause yet of the fire, as investigation is still being conducted.

Joselito Laurente, a security guard of another edifice fronting the Mingso Building, told investigators that he first saw an electrical wire burst outside the window at the 3rd floor and, shortly after, a fire broke out.

Responding firefighters, meanwhile, were able to recover an undetermined amount of cash from a drawer inside the office of lawyer Babie Velayo, located at the 2nd floor of the building. It was immediately turned over to the owner. -Norvie S. Misa