Garments store in Bacolod City loses P10M to 3-hour fire

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — A garments store in this city lost P10 million worth of ready-to-wear (RTW) clothes and other merchandise after a three-hour fire hit the establishment Wednesday and turned the clothing items into ashes.

The fire hit Sun Ves Marketing located at downtown area in Luzuriaga Street at 5:40 a.m. Bacolod City fire marshal, Chief Insp. Pamela Candido, said.

The fire reached second alarm status and was put out only at around 9 a.m. There were no reported casualties and injuries, she said.

Candido said a security guard of the Gaisano Department Store saw thick smokes coming from the window at the second floor of the Sun Ves Marketing, and he immediately informed Patrol 117, whose personnel in turn called the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Candido six fire trucks of the BFP were quickly dispatched to the scene, and were also assisted by the Amity and the Chinese Chamber fire volunteer brigades.

Based on investigations conducted by Senior Fire Officer 2 Harry Fernandez, Fire Officer 3 Cornelio Silva and Fire Officer 1 Abdul Azis Limpao, the fire originated at the ground floor of the store, believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit.

The fire easily spread at the store as it contained garments and other combustible materials, stated the report.  (FREEMAN)