P4 M in property damage: Fire destroys shops, houses in Borongan

Firefighters hose down the last remaining embers at what used to be a commercial area in Barangay Songco, Borongan City, Eastern Samar that was hit by fire on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo by ROBERT DEJON / Inquirer Visayas)

ORMOC CITY — At least P4 million worth of properties went up in smoke after a fire destroyed eight establishments and five houses in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, on Monday morning.

FO2 Wilbur Elven Nebrida, Borongan fire investigator, said in a phone interview that an alarm was received at 1:33 a.m. about the fire that hit a commercial area in Barangay Songco, Borongan.

When the firefighters arrived in the area, the blaze had already eaten several shops and houses which were made of light materials.

Among those destroyed were two eateries, a law office, a beauty salon, an internet cafe, a glass supply store, a fruit stand and a general merchandise store.

The fire also razed five houses.

Nebrida said that based on initial investigation, the fire started by an unattended lighted candle at Poya Carenderia.

The eatery personnel used candles to light the establishment since there was a brownout at that time. /atm