Fire hits UP Diliman’s Casaa food center

Ashes are scattered outside UP Diliman’s College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Association (Casaa) food center as a fire hit the building on Saturday morning. PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY GENO FLORENDO

At least two were injured after a fire hit a food center at University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City on Saturday morning.

Senior Fire Officer Francisco Mabunga of the Quezon City Bureau of Fire Protection told INQUIRER.net that the fire struck the College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Association (Casaa) food center at 9:50 a.m.

Mabunga said the fire reached third alarm at 10:20 a.m. before it was declared out at 10:30 a.m.

He said the fire was triggered by a leak from a liquefied petroleum gas tank (LPG) that was left unattended and exploded in the kitchen area.

The fire official identified the victims as Marilyn Bandiola, 53, owner, and Ken Taliola, 27, cook.

He said both victims sustained second degree burns and were brought to the university infirmary before being transferred to East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City.

The damage caused by the fire amounted to P50,000, Mabunga said.

Authorities had discovered that the equipment used by the food center were already “dilapidated,” he added.

The accident came amid speculations Casaa was facing a change in management. IDL/RC

The damage caused by the fire reportedly amounts to P50,000.

The area razed by the fire has been cordoned off.

Fire officials say the blaze has reached third alarm. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JULIA DANIELLE MAAÑO