Manalili retail outlet, Tres de Abril home damaged, but no injuries reported

By Davinci S. Maru
Monday, January 9, 2012
TWO fires broke out within minutes in Cebu City and kept firefighters busy yesterday afternoon.
“Mura man ug opening salvo para sa bag-ong tuig (It was like an opening salvo for the new year),” said Cebu City Fire Marshal Aderson Comar, adding these were the first two fires in the city this year.
A minor, who allegedly threw a fit, burned his room on Tres de Abril St., Barangay Labangon. Armed with a knife and a bolo, he also allegedly refused to yield to the authorities. (His name is being withheld from this report because he is a minor.)
The incident started at 3:11 p.m. when the minor allegedly threatened to hurt others.
2 birds, 1 stone
Comar, in an interview, said they had to train water in the minor’s direction in order to stop him.
“Napawong pa ang kayo. Nahunong sad siya (That put out the fire and stopped the minor as well),” he told reporters.
It was still not clear what the minor’s problem was, the fire marshal said.
Sixteen minutes later, another fire broke out in downtown Cebu City and gutted a two-storey retail store.
The blaze hit the New York Handbag Factory on V. Gullas St.
Curious onlookers clogged the streets to watch as thick smoke billowed from the building.
Vendors nearby were forced to run away and save their goods. Nearby establishments also closed while the firefighting went on.
Fire officials received the alarm at 3:27 p.m. but declared it under control after three minutes.
They pegged the initial damage at P175,000.
“We are still investigating the cause of the fire,” Comar told reporters.
He said the flames started in the building’s second floor, particularly in the storage area. The store, made of concrete and wooden materials, belonged to Cindy and Dading Uy.
Firefighters commended the public for their cooperation during the firefighting operations.
The fire was raised to a general alarm and all units responded, with the help of volunteer brigades.
Vegetable vendor Elizabeth Cabrera, 51, told Sun.Star Cebu she lost money because of the incident. She has been selling in front of the establishment for almost 20 years.
“Pero maayo na lang kay wala’y na-unsa (At least, nobody got hurt),” she said.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on January 09, 2012.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/01/09/manalili-retail-outlet-tres-de-abril-home-damaged-no-injuries-reported-19