Fire hits plastics factory in Mandaue

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Fire hit a plastic straw factory in Mandaue City midmorning Monday and damaged an estimated P300,000 in property, a fire official said.

Senior Fire Officer 2 Roy Garcia, chief investigator of the Mandaue City Fire Department, said the fire broke out at 9:55 a.m. at the warehouse in Barangay (village) Paknaan leased by Tomorrow’s Plastic Industries Inc. from property owner Shemberg Marketing Corp.

Garcia said the fire started at the annex area of the building where factory equipment was located.

He said that based on the statement from the company’s assistant Vice President Frank Yap, the fire was initially traced to a machine left unattended by its operator.

Garcia said the machine might have overheated, causing the fire that spread because of the waste plastic materials piled nearby.

Factory personnel tried to control the fire with extinguishers but failed.

The fire was reported to Task Force Alpha and fire trucks from Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City and Consolacion town responded. It was placed under control at 10:25 a.m. and declared fire-out at 10:34 a.m.

Garcia said finished plastic products were spared from the blaze but the factory lost plastic materials that could have been recycled.

He said damage could reach beyond P300,000 once he submits his inventory and assessment.

The company resumed operation after the area was cleared.

The Tomorrow’s Plastic Inc., which employs 200 workers, produces plastic straws and sacks.