Dawn fire razes 12 firms in Kidapawan

A 3 a.m. fire gutted 12 establishments, boarding houses and residences in front of a Catholic school in Kidapawan City Saturday. (Williamor A. Magbanua)

KIDAPAWAN CITY –– A Friday dawn fire gutted at least 12 establishments and some residential houses in this quake-stricken city.

Captain Marjorie Resurrection, the city fire marshal said the two-hour fire broke out in one of the internet shops at the back of a restaurant and spread in the nearby establishments.

“Actually there was an ongoing party celebration in one of the stores. Some party-goers saw the fire that already spread in nearby stalls,” Resurrection said.

Resurrection disclosed that among those gutted were internet shops, boarding houses, eateries, and some residences.

Although the Bureau of Fire Protection was able to respond quickly to the fire alarm around 3 a.m., the flames spread fast because the establishments were made of light materials.

The fire was under control an hour later and was completely put out by 5 a.m.

Resurrection cited the help of the Philippine Red Cross,  which deployed a water lorry-cum-fire truck.

“It helped in order that the fire could no longer spread in nearby residential houses across the fire origin,” Resurrection said.

Saturday’s fire along Datu Ingkal was the third in November.

Last week, a house at the back of Gaisano Grand Mall was burned down.

Fire also gutted two boarding houses on Perez Street.

Resurrection appealed to residents to unplug electrical appliances when not in use to prevent similar incidents./lzb