15-minute Fire destroys four classrooms in Borbon town

An early evening fire destroyed four classrooms in Borbon town last Friday.

According to the report reaching the Cebu Provincial Police Office, the alarm was received at 7:30 p.m. but the fire was controlled 15 minutes after they arrived at the scene.

The four classrooms of the Doña Milagros National High School in barangay Lugo, Borbon, were destroyed as these were mostly made of light materials and are already quite old.

The damage has yet to be determined.

PO3 Jose Cejano, who lives in the neighborhood said, he was told by residents living near the school that they saw a man standing outside one of the classrooms past 6 p.m.

One of them, Cejano said, actually saw that unidentified man light something which he thought was only a cigarette.

Shortly before 7 p.m. smoke was seen already rising from one of the classrooms.

The residents alerted Lugo barangay captain Ruben Hatamosa who then called the municipal fire station.

Cejano said rumors are now rife the New People’s Army had something to do with the fire, but this was not yet confirmed.

“Wala lang sad ta kahibaw og basin galihok na sad na sila ron,” Cejano said.

Firetrucks from Catmon and Carmen also responded to the alarm.

School Principal Genes Taño told the firemen and the police he was very sure that he turned off the power after classes ended the week.

Borbon is one of the municipalities in the north with active members of the rebel group.  — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP