Thursday, October 05, 2006
1 killed, 25 injured in Bislig City blaze
By Ben Serrano
Caraga Correspondent
BISLIG CITY -- A 60-year-old woman was killed, 25 others were injured and P150-million estimated worth of properties were razed when a fire, the biggest in years, hit a residential area in Bislig City on Tuesday, police said.
The four-hour fire razed to the ground 1,000 houses including the new and rehabilitated city-owned Bislig Public Market. The fire started at 1:30 p.m. and was put under control at 5 p.m. Damage to property was estimated at P150 million.
The Bislig City Police Office identified the 60-year-old woman as Eutiquia Uriarte, a resident of Purok 3, Bongaitan District this city.
Bislig City Fire Marshall Pepe Rebusa told Sun.Star that fire trucks coming from nearby municipalities including wood and paper firm, Picop, extended help to the two fire trucks of the City Government.
The fire department is still investigating and assessing the extent of the damages, the biggest so far that hit this city.
The fire started at Purok 1, Bongaitan district and razed including the next block particularly Picasales Street, a commercial district where a row of houses and stores are located.
A Flying V gasoline station exploded when the fire reached gasoline tanks.
The Bislig City Information Office said Bislig City Mayor Alberto Tan was in Manila to attend the awarding ceremonies for the "Outstanding City Mayors' of the Philippines Award."
Bislig City Vice Mayor Anita Banalo, who is acting mayor, immediately called up an emergency meeting to discuss the plight of the fire victims.
More than 1,000 families are now temporarily housed at the city oval grounds where limited food and other relief goods were rationed and donated by concerned private and public sector particularly the City Social Welfare Office. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
(October 5, 2006 issue)
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