Carmen fire leaves P100,000 in damage

CEBU, Philippines - An estimated P100,000 worth of property was lost after a fire burned down a copra drier owned by a former barangay captain of barangay Cantipay, Carmen town, past 8 p.m. the other day.

According to PO1 Ricky Linawagan of the Carmen police station, the house of former barangay captain Nicolas Villamor, which was made of light materials, was also damaged by the fire. Investigation showed that Villamor’s wife, Maria Victoria, was reportedly drying the newly-harvested copra when the fire broke out.

Linawagan said the investigation revealed that too much firewood was used to dry the copra, causing the fire.

Maria Victoria suffered first-degree burns in her hands and face but is now in a stable condition, according to Linawagan.   Elements of the police station led by Insp. Carlos Reyes, the station’s chief, together with the members of the Bureau of Fire Protection responded to the fire scene but the copra drier was already beyond saving.

They then proceeded to bring the fire under control. — Niña G. Sumacot/BRP (THE FREEMAN)