200 pigs perish in Cebu fire

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Around 200 pigs were roasted in a fire early Tuesday in Talisay City, 12 km south of Cebu City.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Cesar dela Serna, chief investigator of the Talisay City Fire Department, said the fire gutted a warehouse owned by businessman Maximo Lisondra Jr. in Barangay (village) Biasong, Talisay City that had been partly converted into a piggery.

When the four caretakers, who were sleeping in a house and in an unfinished building within the compound, noticed the fire, it had engulfed the entire warehouse just inside the compound, noticed the fire it had engulfed the entire warehouse, Dela Serna said.

He said the caretakers managed to save at least 10 pigs from the fire, which broke out at 5:55 a.m.

According to the estimate of the caretakers, 200 pigs, including sows and piglets, were killed, Dela Serna said.

Dela Serna said the fire started at the stockroom and spread to the whole building. The house where the caretakers stayed was also damaged.

Dela Serna said they were still investigating the cause of the fire but indicated it could have been caused by electrical misuse.

Damage was initially estimated at P700,000, not counting the value of the pigs, he said, adding that the owner was in a state of shock and had yet to say to disclose the value of the animals.

Dela Serna said Lisondra was very sad because he had invested a large amount of money in the piggery when he shifted from manufacturing rattan furniture.