2 fire incidents hit Dagupan City
AMID DOWNPOUR
A FIERCE fire erupted in a commercial building along AB Fernandez Avenue at the central business district in Dagupan City on the evening of September 29, amid heavy rainfall, resulting in an initial estimated damage of P13.5 million.
The Dagupan City Bureau of Fire Protection’s (BFP) initial investigation indicated that the fire originated in a structure housing plastic equipment, hardware, and glassware, according to Fire Chief Inspector Michael John Escaño.
The fire was put out the same night, but authorities continue to probe the cause of the fire, which rekindled Monday morning.
The Dagupan BFP was backed up by various fire stations from neighboring towns, along with volunteers from CSI, Panda Volunteers, and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
The incident caused traffic congestion in the area and prompted temporary power interruptions in parts of downtown and several barangays on Sunday night.
“These precautions (switching off power) were taken to prevent electrical cables from being affected by the fire,” said Escaño.
The following night, Sept. 30, another fire amid rain consumed the home of 92-year-old Rosita Lim.
According to initial investigations by the Dagupan City BFP, the house was made of light materials and was quickly destroyed by the blaze, Escaño said in an interview over Aksyon Radyo Pangasinan.
Jimmy Rongtad, a 41-year-old boarder in the house, recounted that the fire began with a spark from a light bulb, followed by a sudden explosion rapid spread of the flames.
He managed to rescue the elderly woman, her pregnant daughter-in-law, and another housemate along with a few belongings.
Escaño issued a stern reminder to the public not to underestimate the risk of fires, especially those that could be caused by poorly maintained electrical wiring, during the rainy season. (Ahikam Pasion)
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