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TAGUM CITY, Philippines – Fire struck in Tagum’s business area Monday night, burning down at least 15 establishments and inflicting losses initially estimated at P5 million, officials said.
Two persons were reported injured.
Mayor Allan Rellon said at least 15 establishments in Tagum’s Barangay (village) Magugpo were razed to the ground by the fire, which started past 9 p.m. during heavy rain.
Rellon said that according to a report he got from the Bureau of Fire Protection, a firefighter from Panabo City and an occupant of one of the burned stalls suffered burns.
Fire Officer 2 Russel Briones, arson investigator of the Tagum City Fire Station, said the blaze originated in a barbershop and quickly spread to adjacent establishments, including a number of lodging houses, a bakeshop and a pharmacy.
The fire scene is across the street from the old Tagum Cathedral.
Briones said a short electrical circuit might have ignited the fire, which quickly ate up what were mostly wooden structures. It was put under control around 11 p.m., he said.
Rellon said he directed the city’s social welfare office to provide a sack of rice for each affected family as assistance while they rebuild their lost livelihood.