Talamban fire hits three establishments

The year 2007 has recorded its first fire incident in the city when three business establishments in sitio Kalubihan, barangay Talamban were consumed by a blaze past 12:00 noon yesterday.

Firefighters rushed to Cherries Bakeshop, Cherries General Merchandize and Cherries Lechon House, all owned by a Celso Belotindos, to contain the fire, placing the losses to property at P400,000.

Fire Officer 2 Christopher Orbiso told The Freeman that the fire started around 12:04 p.m. at the baking area of the Cherries Bakeshop.

Baker Allan Marter told reporters that the fire started from the oven that uses firewood. Orbiso said the accumulated oil and dirt from the ceiling have caught the fire.

Firefighters from Talamban Fire Substation and other firefighting units in the city rushed to the scene and helped put out the blaze.

Firefighters declared the fire under control after six minutes. One resident in the area identified as Roland Suarez, who tried to help salvage some things from the establishments, suffered a minor injury in his left hand.

Some residents complained that the firefighters were late to respond. But city fire marshal Sr. Supt. Anderson Codilla told reporters that his men responded to the alarm on time and assured that he would look into the allegation.

Codilla said the fire was the first major to hit the city this year. - Edwin Ian Melecio