Fire hits Sambag 2

The irony of calling March as the fire prevention month was once again highlighted yesterday as two buildings were eaten by flames in barangay Sambag II this city.

It was the fifth fire to hit Metro Cebu this month.

Two persons were reported hurt when two semi-concrete boarding houses were gutted early yesterday afternoon at Aznar Road, sitio San Juan, barangay Sambag Dos.

Fire investigators are looking into the possibility that the fire was caused by a malfunctiongin refrigerator in one of the houses.

The alarm was received by the fire department at 1:41 p.m. and it took 25 minutes for the fire fighters to put it under control, said City Fire Marshal Ismael Codilla told The Freeman.

Both structures, one three stories and the other two stories were owned by a certain Antonio Alego, who used it as a boarding house for students and at the same time as warehouse for his "takuyaki" business.

One fire volunteer identified as Ricardo Po, of Sto.Niño Fire Brigade was hurt on his head after debris fell on him, it was not clear if he was wearing the safety helmet when it happened.

While a civilian identified as Rey Ebarita, 27, suffered a cut on the right foot believed to be cause by broken glass.

Supt. Codilla estimated the fire damage at P450,000. - Edwin Ian Melecio/NLQ