Fire hits Punta apartment

CEBU, Philippines - A fire struck and damaged an apartment along F. Llamas St., Barangay Punta Princesa yesterday noon.  The fire, which was traced to electrical problems, damaged some P150,000 worth of properties, said Cebu City fire marshal William Tacaldo Jr.

The fire started at the second floor of the first door rented by Rebecca Espino, said Tacaldo.

“Naay’g gi-charge na rechargeable flashlight unya nag-trip off ang circuit breaker, maong nag-short circuit,” the fire marshal explained.

Myrna Dela Cruz, who owns the salon occupying the second door, said she smelled smoke, prompting her to trace where it came from.

She went outside and went frantic upon seeing the fire, which was starting to engulf the second floor of her neighbor.

“Nakuyawan g’yud ko maong nangayo g’yud dayon ko’g tabang sa mga silingan hasta mismo sa nag-abang sa nasunog nga kwarto, naa sila sa first floor,” she said.

Dela Cruz said Espino and her family appeared to have no idea that their apartment was on fire.

A neighbor helped her keep the fire at bay with pails of water until firemen arrived.

With the assistance of firemen and fire trucks from other fire stations in the city, Tacaldo said they were able to control the fire in 10 minutes. The fire was raised to the second alarm.

Luckily, the burning apartment was situated just beside the road and fire trucks had easy access to the area. The apartment is owned by a certain Helen Delos Reyes who is reportedly out-of-town.

Tacaldo said the fire only damaged  the ceiling of the first door.  The two other doors were spared as well as the nearby Maria Lina Catering Services, which was saved by a fire wall. Nobody was hurt in the incident.  — (FREEMAN)