2 fires in 3 days: Classrooms, houses razed; two injured

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Three classrooms and two houses were razed to the ground in two fire incidents in this city, in a span of three days, from Wednesday to Friday.

Two persons were also injured in the fire that occurred at 10:35 a.m. yesterday and struck two houses at Zone 8 in Brgy. Calumpang of Molo district in this city.

Superintendent Jerry Candido, acting city marshal and chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection-6 directorial staff, said short circuit of electrical wiring could have caused the fire. Initial reports said a loose connection of an electric fan inside a house triggered the fire.

The wife of the owner of the burnt house sustained 2nd degree burn on her forearm and 1st degree burn on her left arm, left knee, right calf, and right cheek. Another 21-year-old resident in the area suffered lacerated wound on his left toe.

The first fire broke out at 10:35 p.m. Wednesday, at the La Paz National High School and gutted down three classrooms located at the Annex 2 Building.

Candido said a wall fan inside a classroom could have overheated and caused the conflagration, which quickly spread to the adjoining classrooms. The fire lasted for 20 minutes and resulted in an estimated P900,000 in damages to property, he said.

Candido reminded the public to be wary against plugged appliances since the main cause of most fire incidents were short circuits of electrical wiring. Unattended lighted candles or kerosene also caused fire incidents. —(FREEMAN)