Two homes destroyed, one injured as Fire Prevention Month opens

A PERSON was injured and two houses were gutted by fire in Cebu City and Toledo City to open this year’s observance of Fire Prevention Month in March.

Tolentino Sentino sustained minor burns in his hands after trying to save some belongings of his brother Joel Sentino along Gorordo Avenue in barangay Lahug,. Cebu City at 4:25 a.m yesterday.

The Cebu City Fire Station said the fire started in Joel’s room at the second floor of his house.

The fire was put out 20 minutes later. FO3 Emiliano Daño pegged the damages at P250,000.

In barangay Sacsac, Dalaguete town, a businessman’s home was also destroyed by fire at past 7 p.m. last Friday.

Donesio Navarrete was not around when the fire gutted his semi-concrete bungalow house and his store. The fire reportedly started in his kitchen.

A motorcycle-for-hire driver reportedly noticed smoke and flames coming out of Navarette’s home about 20 meters away. No one was reported injured.

FO3 Jundy Deposa, Dalaguete fire investigator, said Navarette’s home is on an elevated portion of the site.

In the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, local officials kicked off the observance of Fire Prevention Month with several activities. The Mandaue City Fire Station fielded more than 10 fire trucks in a motorcade that passed through the city’s major thoroughfares.

They will hold trainings and seminars in campuses and barangay halls and conduct fire safety inspections in all commercial establishments.

The observance will culminate in a Barangay Fire Olympics on March 23. A motorcade was also held in Lapu-Lapu City to kick off the observance and a program was held at the Hoops Dome last Friday.

In her message, Mayor Paz Radaza told the audience that Cebuanos need to be continually reminded to observe fire safety procedures./ Correspondents Chito Aragon and Norman V. Mendoza