Argao town fire leaves P1.2 million damage

CEBU, Philippines - An early morning fire left an estimated damaged of P1.2 million after it destroyed a mini grocery commercial building early morning yesterday in Barangay Poblacion, Argao.

Fire investigators are investigating the cause of the blaze amid suspicions that the wiring of the freezer, which was usually unplugged, at the ground floor of the Geolee Metro Plaza could have started the fire around 2:15 in the morning.

The establishment is owned by Richard Lee, 30, a resident of Cebu City.

No one was reported injured after five stay-in workers were safely able to go out through the exit door of the two- storey establishment.

The stay-in workers are identified as Amor Patagaytay, Claudio Flores, Grace Cavica, Anecita Eballar, and Rosita Baron, in charge of the establishment.

FO1 Diana Dano, of the Argao Fire Station, said that residents woke up after they heard loud bursts coming from the establishment which prompted them to check. They saw the fire engulf the ground floor.

The establishment was about three to five meters away from the residential area but no longer destroyed other houses.

“Firewall man ang gamit maong wala ra katapon, (The firewall prevented the fire from damaging the nearby houses.)” Dano said in a phone interview.

The fire was controlled within 15 to 20 minutes before it was totally extinguished at 8:30 in the morning.

Dano said plastic toys and wares, as well as clothes, delayed them from extinguishing the fire.

“Naglisod sad mi kay sirado man unya grabe ang aso sa sulod, (We had a hard time because it was closed and the smoke was so thick.)” she said in a phone interview.

The fire was raised to second alarm. Fire trucks from the fire stations of Sibonga and Dalaguete also responded to the fire alarm.  (FREEMAN)