Fire razes school building in Malabon

A fire of undetermined causes gutted a building of the Tinajeros National High School before dawn yesterday in Malabon City, causing property damage initially placed by fire authorities at P5 million.

Chief Inspector Wilfredo Ramos, Malabon Station Investigation and Detection Management Section (SIDMS) chief, said the two-story Rodriguez Building, one of three old buildings in the campus on Rivera street, Barangay Tinajeros, Malabon, was totally damaged, including eight classrooms, two stock rooms and the faculty restroom.

PO1 Rommel Habig, officer on case, said the fire that began at 4:56 a.m. also damaged a six-door commercial/residential apartment and a house-for-rent on both sides of the building.

FO3 Rogelio Gayon, arson investigator of the Malabon Bureau of Fire Protection, said the fire originated from the Home Economics Room at the Rodriguez Building’s ground floor.

Officers from Police Community Precinct 4 covered the site to pre-empt any looters.

Gayon said the fire was put under control at around 6:19 a.m. and declared out by 8:06 in the morning.

With Malabon public high schools already suffering an acute lack of classrooms and students crammed 100 to a class, the fire that hit the school further worsened the problem.

School authorities, however, assured the public that steps are being made to remedy the situation.

Dr. Zosima Basco, Malabon-Navotas Division Assistant Superintendent told The STAR yesterday that affected students — some 900 students in 16 classes — will be amply accommodated.

She said a third shift will be added to the usual morning and afternoon sessions.

This, however, meant shortening the regular six-hour session to a further shortened four-hour class per session.

Basco said they have no choice.

The official, however, said not to worry because plans for a new building with more classrooms are already in the drawing boards.

"May mga nakaabang nang plano," Basco said adding that Malabon-Navotas Rep. Federico Sandoval has long ago received their request and has promised to make it a priority project.

For clearing of the burned site, Basco said, the NCR-DepEd has initially sent P30,000 while Malabon City Mayor Tito Oreta has sent temporary chairs and tents for the students. – With Pete Laude