Motor shop razed by Mandaue fire

CEBU, Philippines - A car repair shop on Mabugat Road, Barangay Tabok, Mandaue City caught fire at 11:28 a.m. yesterday, making it the third fire incident in the city so far this year.

No one was harmed from the incident, though. Only the shop owned by Dominador Suico was affected, according to Felix Suico Jr., head of Mandaue City Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office.

Suico said the fire razed the shop as it was made of light materials and was being used as a warehouse for car accessories.

He said no one was around when the fire broke out; hence, the Fire Department was still clueless as to the damage and the cause of the fire.

Fire was declared put out 10 minutes after the alarm was raised.

This is the third fire this year in Mandaue and it is not even March yet, the month when more fires are normally recorded.

Suico said the El Niño phenomenon has made it possible for combustible materials to easily ignite.

"Grabe ang kainit tungod sa El Niño. So careful lang gyud ta, and make sure nga always safe," he said.

Suico said residents should keep flammable materials in safe areas and prevent children from playing matchsticks.

He said by next month, they will be rounding up all 27 barangays to give seminars on how to prevent fire. — (FREEMAN)