Fire guts iconic school in San Carlos; damage reaches P18M

A school that was considered a historical landmark in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, was gutted by fire Monday night, August 14.

The damage was pegged at P18 million.

Chief Inspector Rufino Tañedo, San Carlos City fire marshal, said their initial investigation showed that the fire started at the Accounting Office of Colegio De Sta. Rita before it spread to the main building.

Tañedo said the fire spread quickly as the majority of the materials in the building are made of wood, and it is already an old structure in San Carlos City.

The estimated cost of the damage is more or less P18 million, as the fire totally damaged some classrooms and materials located on the second and third floors of the main building.

He added that firefighters managed to contain the fire at the main building. The Registrar's Office and Nursing Laboratory located at the back were not reached by the fire.

“We protected the other structures inside the school compound and that of the neighboring San Carlos Borromeo Cathedral,” Tañedo said.

The security guard on duty told arson investigators that there was a brownout at the main building when he heard an explosion.

Tañedo said the fire broke out at past 6 p.m. and was declared under control at past p.m.

No casualties were reported, and classes in the school are temporarily suspended until further notice.

San Carlos Mayor Renato Gustilo, in a Facebook post, said: "Seeing this iconic building ablaze saddens me so much, just like all of us. It has long been the city's mighty edifice for decades, that resembled a great institution of quality Christian education that shaped thousands of lives.”

He added, “The building may have fallen, but the values and teachings remain, as its true foundations are those who passionately impart their knowledge to every student who seeks to learn, and wants to build a better future."

"Let us have faith and hope that Colegio De Sta. Rita continues to bring better education for all. CSR will rise again!" he said.

San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said, "Please pray for our AR (Augustinian Recollect) Sisters Community at Colegio de Santa Rita. May all of us do something to help them recover from the fire that damaged their residence and school. The cause of fire and extent of damage are not yet known to us."

The school, considered a historical landmark in the city, is managed by the Augustinian Recollect sisters and was built in 1934.*