Fire burns construction establishment in Basak

An estimated P3 million worth of properties was lost when a fire hits a construction establishment along Highway Tagunol in barangay Basak yesterday dawn.

The fire totally burned the one-storey establishment of the Cebu  Budget Builders Inc., which is selling construction materials and is owned by Esperanza Lumacang.

Although the cause of the fire in still being investigated, fire investigator Felix

Romero said based on their initial findings, it stemmed from an electrical misuse.

Security guard Andres Rosales said before the fire, he heard a vague sound that prompted him to conduct inspection around the establishment.

But upon reaching the production area, he saw its main switch started to spark and immediately called up the Cebu City Fire Department for assistance.

But just before the firemen arrived, the fire had already spread after it swept through several cans of paint and chemical displayed inside the establishment.

However, no one was reported hurt during the fire, which was raised to third level and was controlled 48 minutes later.

In a radio interview, Lumacang said it was the second time the establishment was hit

 by a fire. The first fire incident was however immediately controlled by her personnel.

She added that because of the latest fire, more than 150 of her workers will lose their jobs. — Flor Z. Perolina/LPM