Early morning blaze eats up 6 establishments
Six business establishments were totally burned while one was partially damaged in an early morning fire which occurred yesterday in Brgy. Bolilao, Mandurriao district.
City Fire Marshal Insp. Noel Pacifico said the fire broke out around 4:30 a.m. He said initial investigation showed that the fire started at Au-Au KTV Bar and Refreshment owned by Aurelio Clavel which later spread to adjoining establishments.
Pacifico said arson investigators reported that the fire was caused by a short circuit, but he said they are still doing further verification.
Other totally burned establishments are Roy Barber Shop and Geronio Electrical Shop, both owned by Gorgonio Geronio, and Seaman's Place and Refreshment owned by Erlinda Villegas. Another eatery owned by Zaldy Magbanua was partially damaged.
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) placed the cost of damage to properties at P250,000 while nobody was reported hurt.
Responding firetrucks from the BFP and volunteer fire-brigades from the Filipino-Chinese community put out the blaze after around 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, to prevent possible damage the Panay Electric Company (Peco) decided to shut down feeders 17 and 18 causing brownouts at the entire stretch of Bolilao area and Ninoy Aquino highway likewise Gen. Luna Street up to Bonifacio Drive, City Proper.
The power supply, however, resumed around 11 o'clock this morning or barely six hours later. (With a report from PNA)