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Monday, December 22, 2008
Firecracker stalls razed in Cebu fire
CEBU CITY -- A few stalls in a biweekly fair in a bus terminal in Toledo City caught fire when firecrackers exploded Sunday, causing a brief commotion and injuring some people in the area.
Toledo City police and fire officers are still investigating the cause of the fire, since there were reports that some children tested some of their purchases near the stalls.
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There was also a report that a lighted cigarette started the fire, said City Administrator Avelino Zambo Jr.
Mayor Arlene Zambo ordered the revocation of temporary business permits issued to all firecracker traders. The City Government is planning to ban the sale of firecrackers in urban areas or in four heavily populated barangays in the city.
"Wa man matuman ang ilang commitment to ensure the safety sa public," Avelino said of the vendors.
City officials will meet with police and fire officials Monday morning to discuss measures to prevent a similar incident.
Authorities will also identify a permanent firecracker zone.
For now, residents can only light firecrackers either in the area near the public cemetery or the boulevard by the sea in Barangay Poblacion, Avelino said.
The incident happened when it was also market day at the bus terminal in Barangay Luray I, resulting in a commotion at 11:50 a.m.
Fire Officer 3 Julius Dagatan said bystanders panicked and some fell and suffered bruises when the explosions started. But no one suffered burns.
Local authorities in Toledo City had originally designated an area near the cemetery as a firecracker zone.
However, vendors pleaded with them to move the area near the terminal because they hardly made any sale near the cemetery.
They were allowed a temporary firecracker zone behind the terminal.
Dagatan said on most days, the area was an open space. But on Sundays, vendors arrive at the terminal to sell produce and other wares.
ASide from the firecracker stall, a vegetable stall was also damaged. The fire ate up P288,000 worth of firecrackers and vegetables.
Dagatan said when firefighters arrived in the area, they had to take cover because the firecrackers continued to go off.
The fire was controlled in three minutes.
An investigation conducted by Senior Fire Officer 2 Constancio Alcover reported that some children were seen testing a firecracker called kwitis (rocket) near the display area.
One of the rockets then landed on the display of firecrackers and set off the explosion.
Dagatan said they already warned vendors to put a plastic cover over the firecrackers to protect these but the vendors did not heed the warning.
"We warned them to ensure safety and to observe cleanliness at all times," Avelino said. (MEA/CYR/Sun.Star Cebu)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Manila. (December 22, 2008 issue)
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