Close to P3 million lost in 2 Mandaue City fires

CEBU - A total of P2.9 million worth of property went up in smoke in two fires that hit separate areas of Mandaue City.

The Mandaue City Fire Department deployed several engines to the L’RIH Enterprises owned by Larry Ting in barangay Cabangcalan late evening last December 23.

Just past midnight on Christmas Day, a stray pyrotechnic hit the roof of a warehouse in the Mandaue Reclamation Area stocking tissue paper causing a fire.

Mandaue City fire marshal Oscar Mayol said they are still investigating whether both fire incidents in his jurisdiction has something to do with the indiscriminate use of pyrotechnics particularly “kuwitis.”

The fire that hit L’RIH enterprises was received by fire department at 11:40 in the evening and was raised to 3rd alarm after several neighboring establishments were threatened.

“Dali ra kayo kay pulos man mga lumber ang naa sa sud sa yarda pero suwerte ang ubang establishment kay dunay fire wall maong wala sila maunsa” Mayol said.

Among the establishments near the lumber yard that caught fire was a badminton court, a doctor’s office and a coffee shop.

Ting reportedly collapsed when he was informed on the fire.

One of his workers was also treated by personnel from the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) for burns.

Firemen put the blaze under control only after over an hour due to the highly combustible materials.

“Naglisod gyud mi pagpawong sa kayo ilabi na mga lumber ang naa sa sud” Mayol said.

The lone security guard at the lumber yard, Rosaleo Ardiente, told fire investigators that he heard a loud explosion at the drier section. He was with five employees of the company when the fire broke out.

 “Kusog kaayo ang buto gikan sa drier section unya kayo na dayon ang nisunod” Ardiente said.

The second fire was tapped at 1:10 a.m.

Fire investigators estimate the damage of the fire at the Ring Wings Warehouse to be about P1.2 million.

Nestor Bahalla, duty security guard, said he saw a “kuwitis” coming from a nearby container yard hit the roof of warehouse.

“Siguro wa abti ug oras kalit nga niulbo ang kayo. Akong duda nga gikan gyud to sa atbang ang nagpabuto,” Bahalla said. — Ramil V. Ayuman/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)