CEBU, Philippines - A multicab was totally burned after it caught fire while traversing the National Highway of Barangay Inoburan, Naga City yesterday.
The driver of the van-type multicab, Wendel Montero, 35, of Barangay Labangon, Cebu City, noticed smoke coming out from the engine of the multicab causing them to stop.
SFO1 Jocyline Escomo, chief of operations of the Naga City Fire Station, told The FREEMAN they received the alarm around 11:55 in the morning.
The fire totally burned the multicab owned by Helen Bocboc, Montero’s sister-in-law.
Fire investigators failed to get the plate number of the vehicle since documents kept inside the multicab were also burned.
Montero, together with his three other friends, Wilfredo Senerio, Reneboy Patalinghug, and a certain Daisy, all of legal age and of Barangay Labangon, were heading towards Carcar City to get some products for their networking business when the incident happened.
“Wala na sila kaabot sa ilang destinasyon kay nikalit kuno ug hinay ang dagan una nihunong unya nagtulo ang kayo sa ilawom, (They weren’t able to reach their destination because the vehicle slowed down and stopped. Fire was dripping from underneath.)†Escomo said in a phone interview.
This prompted the group to immediately disembark from the vehicle and seek help.
Nobody was injured.
Escomo suspected that engine trouble could have triggered the fire as there was reportedly a spark before the vehicle caught fire.
However, Escomo said they are conducting further investigation to determine the real cause.
“Mao gyud na akong tan-aw kay sa makina man gagikan ang aso, (That is my initial assessment because the smoke came from the engine.)†she said.
Escomo said they are yet to ascertain the amount of damage. — (FREEMAN)