Fire hits City Central school

ALMOST an hour-long fire of still unknown origin razed at least 46 classrooms and division offices at the City Central School here on Sunday dawn.

No one was reported injured in the conflagration, according to investigators who pegged the damaged at P3 million.

Firemen from the Cagayan de Oro Central Fire Station and private fire volunteer brigade from various business establishments helped in putting off the fire from spreading to the other buildings inside the school compound.

City Fire Marshal Shirley Teleron said an initial report showed that around 1:40 a.m. Sunday, they received a call informing them that a fire broke out at the City Central School located along Yacapin-Velez Streets, Cagayan de Oro City.

“Aside from the call, there was someone on board a motorcycle that informed us that there is a fire at City Central School,” Teleron said.

She immediately dispatched fire trucks to the scene and responding firefighters found the building already engulfed by flames.

Teleron said the blaze started at the second floor, particularly in a grade six classroom.

School principal Porferio Padinit accounted that at least 32 classrooms of grades six, five, and three and 14 division offices were destroyed.

He also blamed some on-duty watchmen of the school for not calling the fire station immediately that could have prevented the fire from causing further damage.

Teleron said the cause of the fire is still being determined, even as it appeared that the fire may be linked to electrical short circuit or unplugged electric fan.