No one was reported in the blaze that razed to the ground the 80-square meter warehouse of the Nutri-Licious Food Corp. (NFC), located at 8 Macario Flores street, Barangay Sto. Nino, Silangan.
The fire started at 3:36 p.m. and was declared out at 4:14 p.m.
Arson investigator Senior Fire Officer 1 Daniel Laron said they are still determining the cause of the fire.
However, Laron said a welder told investigators that he had worked on a steel scaffolding at the warehouse for about an hour before the fire struck.
After setting aside his welding equipment, the man said he noticed smoke from a stack of styropor boxes that fell to the ground.
Stored at the warehouse were several dispensers, boxes of canned juices, chillers, bottles, and carton boxes, Laron said.
Authorities said that since the Pateros fire office has only two fire trucks, the fire alarm was immediately raised to Task Force Alpha to enable other fire offices to immediately send assistance and help contain the blaze. – Nikko Dizon