BFP-Boracay still investigating cause of fire

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Boracay has determined the origin of fire that razed hundreds of residential houses and business establishments in Boracay Island last week.

But, BFP-Boracay chief Inspector Stephen Jardeleza said the cause of fire is still being determined.

He said the evidences recovered in Talipapa Bukid fire scene will be subjected to laboratory examination by the Fire Arson investigation section in BFP national office.

Fire hits Talupapa Bukid that burned to the ground hundreds of stalls and houses on June 17 / PHOTO BY ALAN PALMA SR

“Ang mga ashes napadala na sa BFP national office for laboratory analysis which will help us determine the cause of fire. We consider all angles including corroborated statements of witnesses, actual accounts of fire fighters and physical evidences na-recovered sa fire scene. Inconclusive pa rin ang investigation natin sa cause of fire,” he said in a phone interview on Sunday. 

Jardeleza said the fire originated in the house of Marcelino Sotto and spread quickly to houses made of light materials in Sitio Manggayad in Barangay Manoc-Manoc. 

The two-hour fire also engulfed the market stalls in Talipapa Bukid, located in the hilly portion of the main road. 

Dolphin 1 mini-truck and Dolphin fire truck of BFP-Boracay, fire trucks from Shangri-La fire brigade and Boracay Fire Rescue Ambulance Volunteer (BFRAV)-Boracay Action Group, water tankers of Boracay Island Water Company and personnel of  Boracay Tourist Assistance Center responded in the fire scene. 

Personnel of BFP-Kalibo, Numancia and Ibajay also rushed to the area to assist the fire fighters and volunteer fire brigades. 

The affected area had no fire hydrants and access roads for fire fighters which contributed to the difficulty in suppressing the fire, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said in a report on Saturday. 

No casualties were reported except for 48-year old Malou Namacpacan, who suffered first-degree burn on both arms. 

Some 230 families were made homeless after the fire, which started at about 2:50 p.m. and was declared under control at 4:50 p.m. on June 17.  

The fire was put out at 7:10 a.m. the following day. 

Relief and medical assistance from the Philippine National Red Cross, Municipal Health Office and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office were also extended to fire victims.

While the investigation is ongoing, BFP noted that all boarding houses near the Talipapa Bukid that were burned to the ground had no building permits and fire safety clearances.

Jardeleza said the initial damage in properties at P20-million will rise when the affected fire victims filed their affidavit of loss.