Fire hits commercial building

CEBU, Philippines - A fire struck a two-storey commercial building along C. Padilla St., Barangay San Nicolas, Cebu City yesterday afternoon that ate up half a hundred thousand worth of properties.

The fire, which was traced to electrical misuse, destroyed the ground floor of K and J Marketing that sells rice and plastics, among others.

FO3 Emiliano Daño, the fire investigator, said they received the report about the fire at 1:58 pm. Firefighters immediately responded and controlled the fire after five minutes.

Daño said it also helped that the building, which was situated just across the San Nicolas Parish Church, is located beside the national highway.

The San Nicolas Fire Station, which was just located on the next block, was also quick to respond, Daño said.

The fire was raised to the first alarm, as it was immediately put out by firefighters from the different fire stations in the city.

The fire was not able to spread to the upper floor of the building which was made of concrete materials.

The fire, Daño said, ate up P60,000 worth of properties mostly rice and plastics.

The store owner was manning the store when fire broke out. The storekeepers rushed outside. Luckily, no one was hurt, the fire investigator further said.

Daño further said they will still invite the owner of the store to shed light on the incident and eventually determine what really triggered the fire. — (FREEMAN)