Two hurt in Toledo fire

CEBU, Philippines - A police officer and a house owner were injured during an early morning fire in barangay Kabituonan, Toledo City yesterday.

Toledo City Councilor Leo Dolino almost lost all of his house to the blaze. Forferio Dolino was not as lucky, as his house was razed to the ground.

Senior Police Officer 1 Emmanuel Ilihay from Toledo Police Station suffered from a wound in his leg after climbing the perimeter fence of the house to try to pass the water hose to his companion.

Forferio also had first degree burns in his left hand and nape when he tried to save their belongings from inside the house.  

About seventy-five percent of the office owned by Leo Dolino, including important documents, was burned.

The Toledo City Fire Station received the alarm about 6:45 in the morning. It was raised to second alarm and controlled within 10 minutes. The blaze was totally put out about 8:00 in the morning.

Senior Inspector Randy Mendaros, Toledo City fire marshal, said the fire started in the room owned by Forferio.

When smoke started coming out from the room, Forferio shouted for help, prompting his neighbors to call the fire station.

Forferio claimed that all their appliances were not in use when the incident happened. Mendaros suspects that the fire started from their main switch.

“Didto possible nagsugod ang kayo sa linya sa kuryente sa iyang plangka kay karaan naman sad gud,” Mendaros told The FREEMAN.

Authorities estimated the total damage at P300,000.

Four fire trucks from Toledo City responded as well as two other fire trucks from Pinamungajan and Balamban. (FREEMAN)