Fire hits motor shop

CEBU, Philippines - The third fire incident in the observance of Fire Prevention Month hit a 40 –year-old building at the corner of Lapu-Lapu and Jereza streets in San Roque, Cebu City yesterday afternoon.

The building is a machine shop of Wellmade Motors Development Corporation.

SPO1 Lowell Opolentisima said the fire started at the living quarters of the employees on the second floor but the cause was not yet determined.

He said that the fire alarm was received at 3:17 p.m. and was declared under control at 3:33 p.m. with no casualties reported.

Edward Sabandal, an employee, said that he heard a sound from the second floor where he was working together with other employees.

The people outside noticed the thick smoke coming out of the window of the second floor.  

Sabandal said he immediately switched off the power source of the building and immediately got out.

Opolentisima said that the building was partially burned and pegged the damage to be around P50, 000.

But the company’s owner, Philip Tan, said total damage of the fire could reach up to a million pesos

Tan, the president of Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that he is not blaming anyone, believing the fire was just an accident.

“Nalipay gihapon ta kay ang first concern nako ang safety sa trabahante nato”, Tan said.

He assured his employees that they will not lose their jobs as they will be transferred to other branches. (FREEMAN)