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Sunday, October 03, 2004
6 dead in afternoon fire, P20-M damaged
By Chris Navarro and Rhay Navales
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Six women perished while some P20 million in commercial property and homes were razed in Saturday's afternoon fire in Barangay Sto. Rosario here.
Supt. Emmanuel Arrozal, provincial fire marshall, told Sun.Star Pampanga that at least 20 fire trucks from different fire stations responded to put out the blaze which burned down Popong's Grocery Store and several shanties in the area.
Arrozal, as of press time, said at least six women, who were trapped inside the grocery store, were killed.
He identified the reported fatalities as Gemma Gutierrez, one "Jean", one "Emy", Alma Gonzales, Joy Lugtu, one "Marilyn" and a still unidentified woman working for the said grocery store. Most of the fatalities were reportedly employees of the said establishment.
"Medyo sketchy pa ang report kaya hindi pa ma-establish ang identities ng fatalities. Kasalukuyan pa rin naming iniimbestigahan ang pinagmulan ng sunog," Arrozal said.
Fire probers are still investigating the cause of the fire, which created a traffic jam in the downtown area as marketgoers stopped to see the burning store.
Supt. Nicanor Targa told Sun.Star Pampanga that policemen were deployed near the Popong's Grocery Store to prevent looting during the height of the fire.
"So far na-secure na namin ang grocery store para di na makaporma ang mga looters habang nilalabas ng mga may ari ang natitira pa nilang paninda na hindi nasunog," Targa said.
Targa said that the fire also gutted several shanties, even as policemen helped secure the personal belongings of the victims, which include appliances and clothing.
Firefighters from nearby towns and members of Rescue 21 of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council also assisted the residents in saving their belongings.
In this light, Mang Juan, one of the fire victims, appealed to the city government to provide temporary shelter for them since most of the victims had only saved their clothes and a few belongings.
Noticed present during the incident were Vice Mayor Eligio "Tiger" Lagman, councilors Jimmy Lazatin and Ruping Dumlao and city administrator Fer Caylao.
(October 3, 2004 issue)
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