Taxi catches fire after hitting PUJ

CEBU, Philippines - A taxi caught fire after it bumped with a passenger-type multicab on a road in Sitio Humay-Humay, Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday morning, police said.

Noly Enodio, 32, driver of a Ken Taxi unit with plate number GX5- 937 and body number 2605, reportedly dozed off and lost control of the car to hit the rear end of the multicab (GYP 574) with eight passenger around 5:30 a.m., according to Police Officer 2 Jennifer Decatoria of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office-Traffic Management Unit.

The taxi, which was fueled by liquefied petroleum gas, burst into flames after the impact, said Decatoria. It was carrying one passenger bound for Gun-ob when the incident happened.

Investigation revealed that the multicab’s driver, who was identified as Rolito Escorial, 40, a resident of Nivel Hills, Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, was travelling to Tamiya in Barangay Basak and stopped by the roadside when his passenger alighted.

Enodio’s taxi was then following the multicab, but because Enodio reportedly drifted off, he may have stepped on the accelerator, and eventually rammed his taxi to the back part of the public utility jeepney.

After the impact, smokes could be seen billowing from the taxi’s baggage compartment. Enodio and his passenger, however, managed to safely evacuate the vehicle.

Responders from Lapu-Lapu City Fire District were able to put out the flames.

Decatoria said the multicab’s passengers and its driver were not harmed.

Both drivers did not file complaints against each other and were able to settle to come up with a settlement, police said.

Enodio is a resident of Sitio Tangke in Minglanilla town.  (FREEMAN)