Woman injured in Mabolo fire

CEBU, Philippines -  A woman was injured when an early morning fire destroyed eight houses in Sitio Sta. Cruz, Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, yesterday.

Remedios Bascon, suffered slight burns in her left arm after she helped in putting out the fire when it engulfed her two-storey house at around 9:20 in the morning.

Bascon was given first aid treatment and was no longer taken to the hospital.

The alarm was received by the Bureau of Fire Protection- Cebu City around 9:30a.m. which was then raised to Task Force Alpha.

The fire reportedly started in Bascon’s house which has four rented rooms at the second floor and was partially made of light materials before it engulfed seven other houses nearby.

FO3 Lowel Opolentisima, fire investigator, told The FREEMAN that the fire started at the room occupied by a certain Sherra Mae who was not around at that time. Opolentisima said that Sherra Mae’s room was locked because the lodger was not around since Thursday.

Opolentisima added that they are still conducting investigation but initially discovered that the fire may have been caused by electrical misuse.

The fire was controlled in eight minutes before it was finally put out at 12:12 noon.

Opolentisima admitted they had difficulty in entering the area due to the narrow road.

“Giguba na lang namo ang mga fence nga screen nga gitapal-tapal lang aron makalusot ang hose kay di na kaagi ang sakyanan. (We had to destroy the screen fence so that we could use the hose because the fire trucks could not enter the area),” Opolentisima said in a phone interview.

Damage was estimated at P300,000.

Fire trucks from the cities of Mandaue and Talisay also responded to the alarm.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fire and Protection in Central Visayas acknowledged the contribution of local officials, private individuals and members of the media in the implementation of programs and responding to fire incidents in the region.

Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Francisco Fernandez said that local chief executives and private individuals have greatly contributed to the success of the BFP’s plans and programs.

Fernandez, who represented DILG Secretary Mar Roxas in yesterday’s 39th Fire Service Recognition Day at SM City Mall in Consolacion, said that they need the support and cooperation of local officials.

Fernandez said Secretary Roxas adopted a new approach and management style in addressing the lack of fire trucks and other equipments of the Bureau of Fire and Protection.

Fernandez said that in Central Visayas, some LGUs purchased fire trucks and donated them to the bureau.

Fire Senior Superintendent Ma. Luisa Hadjula of the Bureau of Fire and Protection in Central Visayas said that local government units are their partners in providing services to the people especially during fires.  (FREEMAN)