After nearly two days: Fire under control

CEBU, Philippines — After nearly two days of non-stop work, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) - 7 placed the fire that hit Metro Gaisano in Ayala Center Cebu under control past midday yesterday.

BFP-7 Director Samuel Tadeo said this means the fire could no longer damage structures nearby.

While firefighters managed to contain the fire at the wing occupied by Metro Gaisano, doing so was difficult owing to the highly combustible items in the store like textiles and plastics.Initial investigation traced the fire to the stockroom of the toy section located at the third floor. Since Friday night, after the mall was cleared of people, firefighters worked non-stop.

Because it was difficult to penetrate the building due to the heat, thick smoke, and zero visibility, firefighters had to drill holes into the building’s walls to spray the water in.

"Pagkaganito na sunog, hindi naman maiwasan… nahirapan lang kami kaya binutas na namin para may pasukan ang tubig… hindi makapasok kasi init at kapal ng usok," Tadeo said.

By Saturday night, huge flames erupted and engulfed the fifth and sixth floors of Metro Gaisano. At that point, firefighters had to work externally to avoid getting trapped inside.

By Sunday morning, overhauling operation was conducted in which a team of firefighters penetrated the building to extinguish remnants of the fire.

Fire Senior Insp. Paul Patrick Laude, chief of the Special Rescue Unit that conducted the overhauling operation, said it was necessary to put the remnants out so that the fire would not rekindle. However, the team had to pull back eventually for safety reasons.

Except for the firefighters who sustained minor injuries, no one was hurt by the fire.

Tadeo said damage can reach up to P100 million.

Not Deliberate

Yesterday, too, the lawyer of Metro Retail Group brushed aside speculations Metro Ayala was burned intentionally so the company can claim insurance benefits.

“That is absolutely not true," says lawyer Vincent Tomaneng.

"We apologize for the inconvenience and we thank them for their concern. Rest assured, we will restore and rebuild Metro Ayala," he said.

He said the management has assured to take care of the employees – about 500 of them – affected by the fire. The workers will be paid their wages and reassigned to other branches of Metro Gaisano.

"Dili sila angay maguol. They will be taken care of by the management," he said.

"What they need to do, atbang sa Marriott, naay HR liaison… didto sila tagaan og instructions kung asa sila mo-report," he said.

Almost all of the nearly 500 employees of Metro Gaisano in Ayala are regular workers. Only less than 20 are contractual workers, Tomaneng said.

Smoke

Meanwhile, while several had complained of the smoke that came from the burning building, no one sought help from barangay centers or hospitals, said Nagiel Bañacia, head of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO)

The city itself warned those living or working near the area of the hazardous effects of the smoke from the fire. Those with respiratory and/or cardio-pulmonary problems were advised them to evacuate.

"So far, gi-check sa command center walay complaints regarding sa alert.

Salamat sa Ginoo nga walay naapektuhan," Bañacia said yesterday.

He also commended the work of the firefighters.

"Lahi ra gyud ang teamwork ug coordination nga gipakita sa firefighters," Bañacia said.

The public had acknowledged the same as stores nearby and even private individuals brought water and food for the firefighters at the height of the operation.

Cars

On the other hand, Japzon advised owners of cars parked trapped at the basement of the Metro Gaisano to proceed to the drop-off area of Rustan's along Luzon Avenue where security can guide them in claiming their vehicles.

Tadeo cautioned, however, that the cars may have been wet from the water that used to extinguish the fire during the operation. (FREEMAN)