Fires gut Cebu high school building, 25 houses

CEBU CITY — Two fires occurring 12 hours apart destroyed the old building of the University of Cebu here and 25 houses in Banilad, Mandaue City the other day.

The old University of Cebu building housed all 24 classrooms of the high school department. The university’s huge complex occupies the block bordered by Osmeña Boulevard and Sanciangco, Leon Kilat and Colon streets.

The fire also damaged the school’s Hotel and Restaurant Management Department as well as the fourth floor of the Cebu Technical School, a sister institution of the university.

The fire was believed to have started shortly after 4 a.m. inside the university clinic and fanned by strong winds, rapidly spread to nearby structures.

The high school library was also reduced to ashes, as well as the Office of Student Affairs and the Cultural Center and its modern equipment.

Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire and come up with an estimate of the damage.

University owner Augusto Go collapsed at the height of the fire and was taken by paramedics to the Chong Hua Hospital but was declared out of danger.

Go’s daughter Candice said there is nothing to worry about his father’s condition, adding that he was only brought to the hospital as a precaution.

Go, who was interviewed before he collapsed, said three high school buildings were affected by the fire.

He said a structural survey will be made to find out if the other buildings need to be renovated or demolished altogether.

Cebu City fire chief Roberto Pardenilla said his men were not able to immediately go near the burning building because they had to wait for the Visayan Electric Co. to clear the wires.

Firefighters from neighboring towns and cities helped put out the fire.

Twelve hours later, another fire, this time in Banilad, Mandaue City, destroyed 25 houses, eating up property initially estimated at P300,000.

Investigators blamed faulty electrical connections for the blaze.

Amor Jumao-as, who claimed the fire originated from her house, blamed personnel of the Visayan Electrical Co. (Veco) for the incident.

She claimed a cat jumped on the circuit breaker on the wall Friday night, causing the dislocation of some wires. She reported the incident to Veco which, in turn, sent men to check.

The men reportedly checked the instrument, and when it gave off sparks, they told her to buy a new fuse and left. While waiting for a ride to buy a fuse, she turned around and saw her house already on fire.

Jumao-as said she plans to file a complaint with Veco. — Freeman News Service