FIRE broke out at a restaurant in Gaisano Mall Davao along J.P. Laurel Avenue, prompting hundreds of mall-goers to vacate the building.
Senior Fire Officer (SFO 1) Tereso Oyzon, investigator from the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP), said they received the report at 4:15 p.m.
The fire started at a pizzeria at the upper ground of the mall. The BFP declared fire out at 4:30 p.m.
Based on their investigation, Oyzon said the fire started at the ducting system over the pizzeria’s kitchen. The fire did not spread because of the food outlet’s sprinkler system.
“Dili man kaayo dako ang kalayo ang problema lang dili nato makita sa sulod kay nag ventilate pa kami, amo pang gi-open ang ceiling pati sa taas para makita. Makita namo una naa pay kalayo until napalaong namo. Wala niabot ug five minutes, nadugay lang mi sa pag-open sa ceiling,” Oyzon said.
Zocchero Pepito, 19, a crew of a fast food chain, said in an interview that he was on a break when the fire erupted. They found out about the fire when the power went out and a security guard advised them to leave.
He timed in at 4 p.m. since he was assigned as the closer. Instead of serving the customers, they had to clean the restaurant after the fire out declaration.
On the cause of a fire, Oyzon said there is a possibility that it might have something to do with the maintenance of the exhaust. Investigation is ongoing.
“Sa mga establishments nga naay cooking, dapat atoa gyud ng i-maintain ang paglimpyo sa atong kitchen hood, mahinlo siya permi para malikayan ang kitchen fire,” Oyzon said.
In a statement released hours after the fire out declaration, the management of GMall announced that the mall’s operation has returned to normal.
“The fire at the upper ground level was quickly dealt with, customers and staff evacuated safely with no injuries or casualties. Thank you for the quick response of the Bureau of Fire Protection, volunteer fire brigade, mall operations, and security team,” the mall said in a statement.