Friday, March 28, 2008 (Philippines)

THE INFAMOUS FIRETRUCK of Oslob, Cebu that had to be pushed by firefighters and 10 residents to the fire scene. (Sun.Star Photo/Allan Defensor) CEBU Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal yesterday challenged the public to help rebuild the Oslob parish church within the year, as investigators identified an electrical short-circuit as the cause behind last Wednesday’s fire. “I was on my way to Manila when I heard about the fire on the radio. I could hardly believe it,” the prelate told ABS-CBN during a visit to what remained of the Immaculate Conception Parish. Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) 7 Director Eleuterio Iturriaga sent Provincial Fire Marshal Victor Vibares to conduct a separate investigation, after initial reports said that firefighters and residents had to push one of the town’s two firetrucks just to reach the church, some 50 meters away. [full story]