Fire strikes old house

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — A fire of undetermined origin hit the family house of the Uymatiaos at Barangay Mangnao Canal in Dumaguete City at about 3:45 p.m. Monday, but responding firefighters quickly put the blaze under control in minutes, and declared a fire out after several minutes more.

Arson investigator Senior Fire Officer 1 Virgilio Faustorilla said the fire, following a sort of an explosion, started at the northern portion of the house, which was registered in the name of Gilbert Uymatiao.

Damage is still being determined, but initial investigations showed that the fire started at the room of Gilbert’s niece where a possible explosion of a gadget is being looked into as the cause.

A household employee, pool man Alex Amil, said he heard a loud explosion first, a followed by another, after which he saw smoke coming out of the room. When they tried to open the room, they were held back by the dark and suffocating smoke.

Engineer Greg Uymatiao said his 99-year-old mother Rosario was quickly evacuated, and he thanked everyone for helping put off the fire.

The house was built 20 years ago, and it has become a venue for the Uymatiao’s family gathering during weekends, Greg told The Freeman. (FREEMAN)